Zelensky Rejects Immediate Ceasefire Despite Ukraine’s Struggles in War with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the possibility of an immediate ceasefire with Russia, despite Ukraine facing increasing challenges after three years of war against a much larger adversary.
Buoyed by public shows of support from European leaders during a summit in London on Sunday, Zelensky reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the war until Western security guarantees meet his expectations.
“If you don’t have an end to the war and you don’t have security guarantees, no one is able to control a ceasefire,” Zelensky stated, as reported by the Financial Times.
The Ukrainian leader argued that Russia’s history of violating ceasefire agreements underscores the need for concrete deterrents before Kyiv considers standing down its forces.
“For us, security guarantees mean confidence that the same things won’t happen again after this hot stage [of the war] is over,” he said.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has similarly contended that previous agreements were undermined by "weak" leadership under Joe Biden and Barack Obama, arguing that a ceasefire should be the first step toward a broader, enforceable peace agreement.
During the London summit, Zelensky acknowledged being informed of French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a month-long truce, covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure attacks. However, he declined to comment on whether he would consider the proposal.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron announced their intention to draft a framework peace agreement with Zelensky and present it to Washington. This follows a breakdown in negotiations between Trump and Zelensky during a recent Oval Office meeting.
Despite the presence of over a dozen European leaders in London, no nations formally signed onto the Franco-British plan for a pan-European peacekeeping force. While Starmer expressed willingness to deploy British troops and aircraft to Ukraine, he emphasized that such a force would require U.S. backing—something Washington has firmly opposed due to concerns over escalating tensions between nuclear powers.
Zelensky’s trip to Washington also proved tumultuous. After leaving the U.S. without securing a minerals investment agreement he had initially sought, he later stated that his government was still willing to sign the deal. However, its fate remains uncertain.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS on Sunday that the investment agreement was intended as a stepping stone toward peace negotiations. “It would be pointless to sign if Zelensky wants the fighting to continue,” Bessent said, adding that Trump “wants a peace deal.”
Zelensky’s return to Kyiv is also clouded by uncertainty following the disastrous Oval Office meeting, which drew criticism at home and abroad. European leaders have urged him to repair relations with Trump, but Zelensky has refused to apologize for their tense exchange.