President Volodymyr Zelensky and ten Western leaders have endorsed US President Donald Trump’s proposal to start peace negotiations using the current line of contact in Ukraine as the starting point.
“We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” the leaders said in a joint statement released by the UK government on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
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The leaders said they are “united in desire for a just and lasting peace, deserved by the people of Ukraine,” but accused Russia of obstructing progress.
“Russia’s stalling tactics have shown time and time again that Ukraine is the only party serious about peace. Putin continues to choose violence and destruction,” the statement reads.
At the same time, they underscored that Ukraine “must be in the strongest possible position – before, during, and after any ceasefire,” pledging to tighten sanctions and expand economic pressure on Russia until “Putin is ready to make peace.”
They also announced work on mechanisms to channel the full value of Russia’s immobilized sovereign assets toward Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
The statement, titled “Peace for Ukraine,” was signed by Zelensky alongside:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- European Council President António Costa
- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
Leaders will convene later this week at the European Council and in the Coalition of the Willing format to coordinate further steps.
US Reportedly Views Ukraine as Winner as New Frontline Proposals Emerge
Zelensky met with Trump at the White House on Friday, Oct. 17. Following the meeting, Trump called for an immediate halt to hostilities “where they are now” – along the current front lines.
In an interview with Fox News, he expressed confidence that the war could be brought to an end, adding that “Putin would take something,” since Russia already occupies parts of Ukrainian territory.
At the same time, media reports suggested that on Oct. 16, Putin had made a new proposal to Trump, reportedly offering that Ukraine cede the remaining areas of Donbas under its control in exchange for the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Speaking aboard Air Force One late Sunday, Trump denied discussing Donbas with Putin, saying: “No, we never discussed it.”
He reiterated his proposal to freeze the conflict: “They should just stop at the lines where they are – the battle lines. Stop fighting, stop killing people.”
Pressed on what should happen with Donbas, Trump was blunt: “Let it be cut the way it is. It’s cut up right now… 78% of the land is already taken by Russia. You leave it the way it is right now. They can negotiate something later on down the line.”
Trump’s comments come as his administration debates whether to approve Kyiv’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Vice President JD Vance told reporters earlier Sunday that the issue was still under review.
“The president is hearing that request from the Ukrainians,” he said, but emphasized that Trump “has not yet made the decision to give Tomahawks to Ukraine.”
Vance added that any choice will be made through an “America First” lens, ensuring the US military’s own needs come first.
“He’s trying to bring peace because he thinks that’s what’s in America’s best interest,” Vance said.
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