Ukraine and allies demand ceasefire before entering peace talks with Russia
Ukraine and several European allies have told the United States that any negotiations over a peace agreement with Russia should be preceded by an immediate ceasefire and firm security guarantees for Kyiv, according to diplomatic sources.
The discussions in London involved senior diplomats from the US, France, the UK and Germany, the sources said. The talks follow mounting pressure from Washington, where president Donald Trump is pushing for a quick deal with the Kremlin. But European officials sought clarity on the sequencing of the proposed US plan to end Russia's full-scale invasion.
While Ukraine and its partners remain open to negotiations, they stressed that Russia must first commit to halting its military operations to create the conditions for talks on more complex issues such as territorial control.
Russia continues to reject an unconditional ceasefire
Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak confirmed Kyiv's support for the US-led initiative but criticised Moscow's stance. "Russia continues to reject an unconditional ceasefire, delay the process and try to manipulate the negotiations," he said on Telegram after the meeting.
The developments highlight the growing tension between the urgency of US diplomacy and the caution of Kyiv and European capitals, which insist that peace must not come at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty or long-term security.
© THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP