Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately delaying diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. They have firmly opposed any suggestion of Ukraine surrendering territory to Russia in exchange for peace, a proposal occasionally floated by U.S. President Donald Trump. In a joint statement, eight European leaders and senior EU officials announced their intention to utilize billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets abroad to support Ukraine’s war efforts, despite concerns over the legality and potential repercussions of such a move. The statement also expressed support for Trump’s peace initiatives but emphasized their commitment to the principle that international borders must not be altered by force. Trump’s shifting stance on the issue has added complexity to the situation. After initially suggesting Ukraine could reclaim all lost territory, he recently urged both Kyiv and Moscow to halt hostilities at the current front lines. European and Ukrainian leaders are working to maintain Trump’s support while ramping up pressure on Russia through economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts. An EU summit in Brussels is expected to discuss further sanctions, while the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 35 countries supporting Ukraine, will convene in London later this week.
Ukraine and EU leaders accuse Putin of stalling and reject land concessions for peace
