European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have expressed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call to freeze the current front line in discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. They assert that the fighting should stop immediately, aligning with US President Donald Trump’s recent position. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected these proposals, stating that Moscow seeks a “long-term, sustainable peace” rather than a temporary ceasefire at the current line.
The joint statement from the European leaders included concerns about “Russia’s stalling tactics,” emphasizing the challenges in reaching a resolution. Trump is reportedly planning direct talks with Putin, although the scheduling of preparatory meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lavrov appears uncertain. Despite their communication, sources suggest that Trump urged Zelensky to consider ceding significant territories in the eastern Donbas region as part of a potential agreement, which Zelensky has publicly resisted, citing security concerns.
While Ukraine maintains control over part of Donetsk, Russia has occupied most of Luhansk. Trump has since adjusted his stance to favor a ceasefire along the existing front lines, advocating for an end to hostilities. However, Moscow continues to maintain that a freeze is not an acceptable solution, reiterating demands for a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern regions and addressing what they define as the “root causes of the conflict.”
The Kremlin has downplayed the likelihood of an imminent meeting between Trump and Putin, stating that logistics have not been finalized. Putin’s travel poses additional complications due to an international arrest warrant against him, with some EU nations indicating they would enforce it. Bulgaria has suggested that it might permit Russian air travel for a peace meeting, which could pave the way for high-level discussions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0exgnwl092o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss