Urgent: Zelenskyy Proposes Ceasefire as Key Compromise to End War

UPDATE: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just announced a new proposal for a ceasefire along current frontlines, calling it “a good compromise” to halt Russia’s ongoing invasion. This urgent appeal comes as Zelenskyy seeks support from U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders ahead of a critical EU summit in Brussels on October 5, 2023.

During a visit to Norway, Zelenskyy emphasized that freezing the conflict at existing battle lines is the first vital step towards achieving lasting peace. “I communicated this ceasefire proposal to President Trump,” he stated, highlighting the importance of immediate action. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether Vladimir Putin would agree to this plan.

Zelenskyy reiterated that this ceasefire plan focuses on halting hostilities rather than establishing a comprehensive peace agreement. Kyiv’s strategy has been clear since early talks with Trump: an immediate, unconditional ceasefire followed by direct negotiations between Zelenskyy and Putin. While Trump initially supported this idea, he later suggested bypassing the ceasefire in favor of direct peace negotiations, a stance that has recently shifted. Earlier this week, Trump stated, “They can negotiate something later on down the line. But I said cut and stop at the battle line.”

The Kremlin has consistently rejected the ceasefire proposal, insisting that hostilities will continue until it achieves its stated objectives in Ukraine, which it refers to as “root causes.” These include Ukraine’s ambitions to join the EU and NATO, as well as allegations of discrimination against ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

The ongoing refusal from Moscow complicates the planned Trump-Putin meeting, initially set for late October in Hungary. The lack of a ceasefire remains a significant barrier, leading to the indefinite postponement of a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Trump expressed his reluctance to engage in “a wasted meeting” if there is no progress toward halting the conflict.

As tensions rise, European leaders are rallying behind Zelenskyy’s ceasefire call. Ahead of the EU summit, a joint statement emphasized the commitment to preventing changes in international borders through force. Zelenskyy aims to secure a united front with Western partners to pressure Moscow into accepting the ceasefire plan.

In an urgent statement, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed full confidence in Trump’s ability to lead efforts to end the conflict. “He is the only one who can get this done,” Rutte stated, reaffirming the importance of Trump’s recent comments about stopping the fighting at the battle line.

As this situation develops, the international community is watching closely. Zelenskyy is set to travel to London on October 6, 2023, to further engage with allied nations and reinforce the coalition advocating for peace in Ukraine. The urgency of these discussions reflects the humanitarian crisis unfolding due to the ongoing conflict, with millions affected by the war.

Stay tuned for further updates as crucial diplomatic efforts unfold in the coming days.