Live blog: ++ Stoltenberg warns of false peace ++

According to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, a lasting peace with Russia can only exist on the terms defined by Ukraine. British Prime Minister Sunak is promoting private investment in the country. The developments in the live blog.

At a conference in London next week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to encourage private investment for the reconstruction of Ukraine. His office said he wants to urge investors and companies at Wednesday’s event to make the war-torn country “financially stronger” and “technologically advanced.”

More than a thousand government representatives from 61 countries as well as business and company representatives are expected to attend the meeting. Germany will be represented by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Development Minister Svenja Schulze.

The first conference of this kind took place in July last year in Lugano, Switzerland. The two-day conference, co-hosted by the UK and Ukraine, is now primarily aimed at the private sector. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is connected via video. Both EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are expected to speak at the opening meeting.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warns of a false peace in Ukraine. “We all want this war to end. But for peace to be lasting, it has to be fair,” he told Welt am Sonntag. “Peace cannot mean freezing the conflict and accepting a deal dictated by Russia. Only Ukraine alone can define the terms that are acceptable,” he added.

In this context, the NATO chief pointed out that military successes in the theater of war would strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position: “The more occupied territory Ukraine can liberate, the better cards it has at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace. ”

Amidst the ongoing Ukrainian counter-offensive, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Western partners for the continued military aid. In his video speech that evening, he also explicitly mentioned Germany, which had just announced the delivery of 64 more Patriot-type guided missiles for air defense systems to the attacked country. Zelenskyy also thanked all countries and organizations that support Ukraine in coping with the consequences of the floods after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.