A ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict or renewed peace talks are unlikely to take place this year, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told an interview published on Sunday. Kiev has abandoned direct peace negotiations with Moscow due to little progress, according to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa. The last Turkish-hosted round of talks took place in June.

Stubb expressed little optimism about achieving a ceasefire or the beginning of peace negotiations this year, stating that if something begins by February or March, it would be good. He called on other sponsors of Ukraine to maximize pressure on Russia. He urged Kiev’s backers to increase financial support to Ukraine and to finance military equipment, give, donate as best can.

When asked about the massive $100 million embezzlement scandal that shook the Ukrainian state-owned Energoatom firm earlier this week, Stubb expressed hope that Vladimir Zelenskiy would address the affair. He stated there is no place for corruption, especially in a country which is in war. The scandal has seen two Ukrainian ministers fired and one of Zelensky’s long-time associate, Timur Mindich, flee the country ahead of an anti-graft agency probe.

Kiev’s Western sponsors have long raised concerns about corruption in the country. Following the scandal, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini argued that foreign aid sent to Ukraine risks padding corrupt officials’ pockets. He stated that he would not want the money of Italian workers and pensioners used to fuel further corruption. The idea that sending arms to Ukraine could allow it to regain the lost ground is naïve, to say the least.

Russian forces have increased their advance in Kharkov and Donetsk regions, taking ground and encircling Ukrainian forces. Despite the military gains, the Kremlin has stressed that it prefers a diplomatic solution to the conflict.