London Talks Seek Path to Ceasefire in Ukraine Conflict

By Staff, Agencies

Officials from Ukraine, the US, the UK and several European countries gathered in London on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to explore possibilities for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The meeting, hosted by British officials, follows similar discussions held in Paris last week and is aimed at outlining what a potential ceasefire and long-term peace arrangement might look like.

British Defense Secretary John Healey described the initiative as a continuation of international consultations. However, the format shifted in recent days, as plans for foreign ministers to participate were dropped after the US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio could not attend due to scheduling conflicts. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the gathering would instead involve senior officials. Among those present was retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, an envoy representing former President Donald Trump on matters related to Ukraine and Russia.

The talks come amid growing speculation that the US may encourage Ukraine to accept a deal involving the cession of territory currently under Russian control. During the Paris meeting, US officials reportedly presented a proposal that would allow Russia to retain control over areas it currently occupies, according to a European official familiar with the discussions.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky firmly rejected that notion, reiterating that the territory belongs to Ukraine. "There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people," he stated.

Some European countries have expressed reservations about the US proposal, though there is also recognition among several governments that Russian forces remain deeply entrenched in five Ukrainian regions: Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. A senior French official, speaking anonymously, suggested that an immediate ceasefire might need to reflect the current lines of contact.

While European officials continue to emphasize Ukraine’s sovereignty and integration with the continent as key objectives, the outcome of these diplomatic efforts remains uncertain. More than three years into the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion, momentum on the battlefield appears to be with Moscow. Western analysts believe this has lessened the Kremlin’s urgency for reaching a deal.

British officials cautioned against expecting a breakthrough but described the current week as a critical moment in international diplomacy. Trump recently said that negotiations were “coming to a head,” warning that the US might step back from the process if there is no significant progress. Secretary Rubio also signaled that Washington’s patience may be running out, suggesting that Wednesday’s talks could influence future US engagement.

In parallel, Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov stated that US special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to visit Moscow again soon, though no additional details were provided.

Zelensky said Ukraine’s delegation attending the London talks was authorized only to discuss the possibility of an unconditional or partial ceasefire. He added that Kiev is open to broader negotiations once hostilities are paused.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, warned that resolving the conflict is highly complex and should not be constrained by artificial timelines. Russia has reportedly rejected a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, citing demands it considers unrealistic.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 30-hour unilateral ceasefire last Saturday, Ukrainian and British officials stated that Russian strikes continued during that period. The Associated Press was unable to verify whether the ceasefire was observed along the 1,000-kilometer front line.

As diplomatic talks continue, both Ukraine and Russia are reportedly preparing for a renewed phase of military operations this spring and summer.