RIGA, July 24 (LETA) - It is quite difficult to think about a negotiated peace in Ukraine, because it requires the readiness and consent of both sides, which is not yet there, Latvian Ambassador to NATO Maris Riekstins told Latvian Television this morning.

Although there is an apparent readiness on the Russian side to start peace talks with Ukraine, Russia is setting preconditions for these peace talks that do not seem acceptable to Ukraine in any case. "This is in fact an ultimatum, and it is clear that with such an ultimatum you will not bring anyone to the negotiating table to face you," the Ambassador said, stressing that Russia's rhetoric in this way does not create the slightest illusion of any readiness for real peace talks.

Asked what would have to happen for the war in Ukraine to end, Riekstins replied that this could only happen when the Russian public and leading elite realize that Russia will not succeed in subduing Ukraine with military instruments and that the Russian economy "will not be able to bear it".

The Russian propaganda machine is trying to maintain the myth that the country's economy is doing very well, but "these are fairy tales, of course, because we clearly see indications that the Russian economy is struggling," said the Latvian diplomat, noting that otherwise Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have had to visit internationally isolated North Korea and talk about possible aid from it.

"These are indications that Russia will find it increasingly difficult to finance this high-intensity warfare," Riekstins said.