BRUSSELS, Belgium: Ukraine is not currently in a strong enough position for peace talks with Russia, Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Monday, as US president-elect Donald Trump gears up to take power.

“At this moment, clearly Ukraine is not there, because they cannot at this moment negotiate from a position of strength,” Rutte told EU lawmakers. “We have to do more to make sure by changing the trajectory of the conflict that they can get to that position of strength.”

Trump will be sworn into office next Monday after vowing on the campaign trail to bring a swift end to Russian President Vladimir Putin´s war in Ukraine. The promises from the incoming US leader have sparked fears he could cut Washington´s support to Kyiv and force its leaders to make painful concessions.

Trump takes power nearly three years into the war as Ukraine´s fatigued forces are being pushed back on the front line.