(MENAFN) A ceasefire in Ukraine or the resumption of formal peace negotiations is unlikely before the end of the year, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with a media organization published Sunday.

Ukrainian officials have reportedly “abandoned” direct talks with Moscow due to minimal progress, with the last Turkish-hosted round occurring in June, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa. Stubb told AP, “I’m not very optimistic about achieving a ceasefire or the beginning of peace negotiations, at least this year.” He added that if discussions could restart by February or March, “that would be good,” urging Ukraine’s backers to “maximize pressure on Russia.”

Stubb also emphasized the need for increased support from Kiev’s allies, calling on them to “finance military equipment… give, donate as we best can” and provide additional financial aid to Ukraine.

Commenting on the recent $100 million corruption scandal at state-owned Energoatom, he said he hopes President Zelensky can get the situation “sorted and cleared,” stressing that “obviously there’s no place for corruption, especially in a country which is in war.” The scandal has already led to the dismissal of two ministers and the flight of Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Zelensky, ahead of an anti-corruption investigation.

Western sponsors of Ukraine have repeatedly expressed concerns about corruption, with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warning that foreign aid risks lining the pockets of corrupt officials.

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