NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined Wednesday that Russia's war with Ukraine is likely to end at the negotiating table. 

Speaking to the BBC, he added that it is up to Ukraine to decide when it is time to start the talks process. 

"We must remember that this is a war of aggression, where Russia has invaded another country. We all want peace and a negotiated solution. But at the same time we have to understand that if Russia and President Putin stop fighting and Ukraine stops fighting, then we will have peace. If President Zelensky and Ukraine stop fighting, then Ukraine will cease to exist as an independent sovereign nation. At some stage, this war will most likely end at the negotiating table, but we know that the outcome of these negotiations is closely linked to strength on the battlefield," Stoltenberg said.