Peace talks move forward with Kyiv at the center

European leaders demand Kyiv be included in peace talks as Zelenskyy signals willingness to engage ahead of a Trump Putin summit

Kyiv at Center Pressures for Inclusive Peace Talks

European leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission issued a joint statement urging Kyiv to be included in any talks with Russia. They said negotiations should proceed alongside a ceasefire and sustained diplomacy, with Ukraine at the table. The message lands as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska, a summit that could shape the war’s next phase. Washington has signaled openness to Kyiv's participation, but officials say the talks remain bilateral for now. Violent strikes and casualties continued in Kherson and the Saratov region, underscoring that diplomacy walks alongside ongoing fighting.

Zelenskyy responded with a public salute to the European stance, stressing that the end of the war must be fair and that Kyiv must lead any peace process. He reiterated that decisions made without Ukraine are dead decisions. At a Chevening gathering, European officials floated a counterproposal that would require a ceasefire before major steps and reciprocal land arrangements with strong security guarantees, though details were not disclosed. Trump has floated the idea of some territorial adjustments as part of a deal, a point that raises questions about Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelenskyy described the meeting as constructive and emphasized that the path to peace should be determined together with Ukraine.

The new European stance strengthens Kyiv’s position by linking any deal to Ukrainian involvement and a credible ceasefire. It also tests Western patience for a negotiated settlement that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty. If concessions surface, the risk is domestic backlash in Ukraine and among allies who fear eroding red lines. The dynamic shows diplomacy is not a retreat from reality, but a careful balancing act between urgency and assurance. The Chevening discussions reveal a preference for staged diplomacy, where ceasefire and security guarantees precede broader land compromises, a framework that could guide future talks—if trust can be sustained across the table. The coming weeks will reveal how far Western unity can translate into enforceable guarantees that protect Ukraine while offering a path to peace for all parties.

Highlights

Diplomacy moves forward, but sovereignty remains the ultimate test