Putin has not once negotiated in good faith on ending war, Wicker says

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has not once conducted negotiations on ending the war in good faith, but tough sanctions and increased military support for Ukraine could force him to do so.

This was stated by Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Roger Wicker, during the panel "Coalition of the Able? Securing Long-Term Support for Ukraine" at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Vladimir Putin has not yet negotiated in good faith. Never once. Vladimir Putin started this war. He's a war criminal. And as you've pointed out, he started committing more war crimes this year by attacking civilians," Wicker said.

According to the senator, Putin will begin negotiating in good faith only when he feels a sufficient level of pressure and losses.

"And that's what these oil sanctions may do. That's what more serious, more decisive and skillful weaponry may do," Senator Wicker emphasized.

In his view, Russia has so far demonstrated no effective step toward a lasting end to the war.

"But he will not negotiate in good faith and has not yet said one word about actually ending this war in a meaningful way that will be lasting," he said.

The panel was attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

As Ukrinform reported, Zelensky stated during his speech at the Munich Security Conference that in the negotiation process the United States often refers to the need for concessions from Ukraine rather than from Russia.

Photo: Office of the President