Zelensky backs freezing current front line to open ceasefire talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fighting should be halted along the existing front line as a first move toward ending the war. He insisted that Kyiv must be included in any negotiations and that future security guarantees are essential. His comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, where Russia also announced diesel shipments to the US and the release of a detained American.
Zelensky, speaking in a Fox News interview, proposed halting combat where forces currently stand as an initial route to talks. He also stressed that Kyiv must have a seat at any table and that allied security commitments would be needed to prevent renewed occupation or violence.
His remarks coincided with US envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg. Moscow also said it would start sending diesel to the US under a Trump-linked arrangement and released American detainee Stephen Hubbard, held since the war began. Zelensky separately said Starlink/Starshield support remains constrained, though Marco Rubio promised to help resolve it.
A freeze along current lines could reduce immediate fighting for civilians near the front, but may leave many displaced people uncertain about return and security. Any talks involving outside powers may shape whether Ukrainians trust the process; guarantees could affect reconstruction, investment and daily safety. Meanwhile, limited battlefield communications and continued fighting may keep risks high for soldiers and residents, so the social impact may depend on how quickly and credibly any ceasefire is implemented.