We've proven our ability to serve as a reliable platform for negotiations, and we're ready to continue doing everything possible to achieve peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

But let's be frank, any lasting peace in that country is not possible without addressing the root causes, which have been ignored for years.

These include plans to bring Ukraine into NATO, contrary to all security realities, the failure to implement the Minsk agreements, which were the only legitimate path to peace.

Let me remind you that the implementation of these agreements was sabotaged in order to buy time and allow Ukraine to rearm.