Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Oct. 21 that Kyiv could halt fighting at the current front line with Russia to begin peace negotiations, but would not cede Donbas.
In a Fox News interview, Zelenskyy called a ceasefire the minimum step he expected from Moscow. He said Ukraine would then seek security guarantees from U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders.
Zelenskyy said Moscow was pressuring Kyiv to withdraw from its territory despite what he described as Russia’s lack of battlefield success this year. He said Ukrainians’ exhaustion with the war did not justify giving up land.
The interview followed Oct. 20 talks in Oslo with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders, when Zelenskyy said Ukraine was open to several ceasefire arrangements. Ukraine’s presidential office said security guarantees were discussed. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the participants also considered a partial ceasefire to protect energy and food supplies.
After Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 21, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Moscow was willing in principle to resume three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States in mid-November.
