China needs to start understanding Ukraine's prospects and communicate directly with President Volodymyr Zelenskyі if it wants to join a peaceful solution to the Russian-Ukrainian war. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the presentation of the Annual Report for 2022.

 "Ukraine itself decides what conditions are acceptable for any peaceful solution. Therefore, China needs to start understanding Ukraine's prospects and communicate directly with President Zelenskyі if he wants to take the world seriously. It should also be remembered that China was unable to condemn the illegal Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. I will, of course, welcome any initiative, any plan that can lead to adjustment and a stable world," Stoltenberg said.

 The Secretary General noted that he supports some aspects of China's peace plan, which contain "positive elements", including the importance of nuclear security, protection of the civilian population and the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. He emphasized that any single decision should be based on the principles of respect for the complete integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

 "This is also the main element of the peace plan put forward by President Zelenskyі a few months ago. And, of course, a strong lasting peace must include Ukraine as a sovereign, independent state in Europe in accordance with the UN Charter," Stoltenberg added.

 According to him, a ceasefire or any decision that does not respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine "will only be a way to freeze the war" and provide conditions under which Russia can recover, regroup and attack again.

 "And it won't just be a stable world, it will only help Russia keep the territory it illegally occupied," the Secretary General concluded.

 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that no one knows how the war in Ukraine will end, but there are "no signs" that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has "changed his ambitions."