EU Leaders and Zelenskyy Back Trump’s Ceasefire Plan, Urge Talks Along Current Front Line
The leaders of several European nations and top EU officials have voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to initiate immediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, using the current line of contact as the starting point for negotiations.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a joint statement published by the European Commission.
The signatories – including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the prime ministers of the UK, Italy, Poland, and Norway, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the heads of the European Commission and European Council – emphasized their commitment to a “just and lasting peace” based on respect for international law and territorial integrity.
“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 statement said. “We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.”
The leaders also noted that Russia’s reluctance to engage in peace efforts shows that Ukraine is the only party genuinely seeking an end to the war. They underscored that Kyiv must maintain a strong negotiating position before, during, and after any ceasefire.
“We are clear that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during, and after any ceasefire. We must ramp up the pressure on Russia's economy and its defence industry, until Putin is ready to make peace. We are developing measures to use the full value of Russia's immobilised sovereign assets so that Ukraine has the resources it needs,” the document reads.
European leaders plan to discuss the initiative later this week during European Council meetings and within the Coalition of the Willing – a group of nations coordinating long-term security and reconstruction support for Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier confirmed that the Coalition’s next meeting, involving President Zelenskyy, will take place in the coming days to align positions on potential negotiation frameworks.
Diplomats in Brussels say the statement signals Europe’s cautious endorsement of Trump’s peace push, but also reflects deep concern about ensuring any talks do not legitimize Russia’s territorial gains.
As The Gaze previously reported, hopes for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest are faltering as Moscow shows little sign of softening its position on ending the war in Ukraine.