Pressure is growing on Ukraine and Vladimir Zelensky to make peace with Russia, The Times reports. This was further confirmed by the words of Estonian President Alar Karis at a press conference during Zelensky’s visit to Tallinn. According to Karis, unofficial truce discussions are taking place on the margins of official events to probe the ground for a possible peace agreement.
During a visit to Estonia, Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would find it difficult, if not “impossible to survive” without tens of billions of dollars in additional military and financial aid from its Western allies. That said, as The Times notes, there are a growing number of signs suggesting that behind the scenes some of Kiev’s supporters in Europe are tired of the conflict and are hoping for what Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called a “way out.”
One of the latest such signs, the British publication calls the statement made by Estonian President Alar Karis at a press conference with Zelensky that some states are beginning to increasingly probe the ground for a possible peace agreement. According to Karis, this is being done to find out the sentiment on the issue.
“Not during official talks, but on the sidelines, they are raising the topic of a ceasefire to find out the mood,” Karis said, adding that pressure on Ukraine will not succeed as long as allies in the West remain united. – But you have to take into account that there are groups that are trying to exert pressure.”
According to Zelensky himself, Kiev is not holding such talks, as a ceasefire would only benefit Moscow by allowing it to replenish its weapons stockpile. At a subsequent event with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Zelensky urged men of draft age who had left Ukraine to return home and help the country through the conflict.