KYIV, Oct 21: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on Tuesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately stalling diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
They firmly rejected any proposals for Ukraine to surrender land in exchange for peace, an idea previously floated by US President Donald Trump.
In a joint statement, leaders from Ukraine, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway, Poland, Denmark, and top EU officials reiterated their commitment to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The leaders expressed concern that accepting a ceasefire along current front lines, where Russia occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine, would freeze the conflict and give Moscow a strategic advantage for future attacks.
Despite past suggestions that Ukraine might need to concede territory, Trump recently shifted his stance following a phone call with Putin and a meeting with Zelenskyy.
He now supports halting the fighting at the current lines and starting peace talks, though he has also expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to win the war outright. The joint statement cautiously welcomed Trump’s efforts, saying they “strongly support” his call to stop the fighting, but underscored that peace must not come at the cost of Ukrainian sovereignty.
The leaders also reaffirmed plans to use Russia’s frozen assets abroad to help fund Ukraine’s war effort, despite legal concerns. They stressed the importance of increasing pressure on Russia’s economy and defense sector until Putin is ready to negotiate in good faith.
Further sanctions against Russia are expected to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. A meeting of the pro-Ukraine “Coalition of the Willing,” comprising 35 countries, is scheduled for Friday in London. (AP)
