Former British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Laurie Bristow, has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin could agree a ceasefire with Ukraine but only “on his terms”.
Speaking with Sky News, Laurie also said that the ceasefire deal must be more attractive to Russia.
“Mr Putin will agree a ceasefire but on his terms,” he said.
“Those terms are that a ceasefire has to be a more attractive prospect to Russia than fighting.
“That can happen in one of two ways.
“Either Ukraine is weakened or Russia is weakened.
“At the moment what I think we are seeing is a Ukraine that is being weakened on the battlefield by the suspension of US military support.”
Russia and Ukraine have been fighting since February 2022, when Putin announced a “special military operation” on Ukraine.
European countries and the US are keen to strike a peace deal to end the war between the neighbouring countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had announced plans to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid his country’s ongoing war with Russia.
Zelensky noted that his team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners, adding that Ukraine is most interested in peace.
