US sees no signs Russia is ready for real diplomacy

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this at a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday, January 3, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"It is hard to take seriously the idea that Russia is prepared for good-faith diplomacy when they are doubling down," she said.

She added that the Russians are only intensifying their aggression, not going to stop the annexation of Ukrainian territories and not abandoning the idea of preserving the current state of affairs.

"That's not a basis for real diplomacy at all," Jean-Pierre said.

She recalled that U.S. President Joe Biden, in his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, emphasized that America stands for a just peace.

"When we talk about just peace, that must include UN principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," Jean-Pierre said.

She noted that the job of the United States in this context is to keep supporting Ukraine on the battlefield "so that they're in the best position to negotiate at the table when that does occur."