European leaders have echoed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance, advocating for any peace talks to begin with a freeze along the current front lines. They express skepticism about Russia’s genuine interest in peace. A joint statement signed by eleven leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, declared strong support for US President Donald Trump’s position that hostilities should cease immediately, with the current contact line serving as the basis for negotiations.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly rejected the idea of halting the conflict at the present contact line. Lavrov stated that Moscow is only interested in “long-term, sustainable peace,” implying that a frontline freeze would merely be a temporary measure.
European nations highlighted what they perceive as Russia’s “stalling tactics,” underscoring the continued difficulty in finding common ground with Moscow. President Trump, known for his often conciliatory approach towards Russia, is reportedly planning direct talks with President Putin in Budapest. However, the preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lavrov appears to be facing delays.
Trump had previously spoken with Putin, and subsequently met with Zelensky and his team. Reports suggest Trump urged Zelensky to cede significant territory in the eastern Donbas region as part of a potential peace deal with Russia. While some reports described the discussions as tense, Zelensky characterized them as “frank.”
Ukraine has consistently opposed withdrawing from occupied territories, fearing that Russia might use such zones as staging grounds for future offensives. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s unchanged position, stating, “I explained during my visit to Washington last week that Ukraine’s position has not changed.”
While Russia currently controls most of Luhansk, Ukraine maintains control over approximately a quarter of Donetsk, including strategic cities like Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
Trump himself has since stated that the fighting should simply stop at the current battle line, with approximately 78% of the land reportedly already under Russian control. He expressed his view by saying, “I said: cut and stop at the battle line. Go home. Stop fighting, stop killing people.”
Despite these statements, the Kremlin maintains its stance against a frontline freeze. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia’s position remains consistent, referring to their demand for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the eastern territories.
Lavrov echoed these sentiments, stressing the need to address the “root causes of the conflict,” which, in Moscow’s view, includes Russian sovereignty over the Donbas and the demilitarization of Ukraine – demands that Kyiv and its European allies find unacceptable.
The Kremlin has downplayed expectations for an immediate meeting between Putin and Trump, with Peskov stating, “We cannot postpone what has not been finalised.” The planned meeting between Lavrov and Rubio to organize the summit has yet to confirm timings.
A potential summit in Hungary would require an EU country to grant airspace access to Putin’s plane. Poland and Lithuania have indicated they would enforce an international arrest warrant for war crimes against Putin. Bulgaria, however, through its Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, hinted at a willingness to allow Putin’s plane passage, stating, “When efforts are made for peace, it is only logical that all sides contribute to making such a meeting possible.”
Trump and Putin’s last meeting in Alaska in August concluded with few concrete outcomes, other than easing Russia’s international isolation. Trump had previously proposed a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky, but Russia’s conditions for addressing the “root causes” of the war led to the idea being shelved.