Ukraine and Europe counter Putin’s ceasefire proposal

European powers and Ukraine responded to Vladimir Putin’s cease-fire plan with a counterproposal that they say must serve as a framework so that coming talks between President Trump and the Russian leader can gain traction, according to European officials familiar with the talks.

Ukraine “will not give Russia any rewards for what it has done” and “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday.

A Russian ceasefire proposal has suggested to trade the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk for a full ceasefire. Citing two European officials familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Ukrainian and European officials have responded to Russia’s ceasefire proposal with a counterproposal.

The proposal, presented to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, reiterates Ukraine and Europe should be involved in any negotiations held with Russia, while also demanding a ceasefire be implemented before further steps are taken.

In a statement posted to Telegram, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s territorial integrity, enshrined in the constitution, must be non-negotiable, and emphasized that lasting peace must include Ukraine’s voice at the table.

French President Emmanuel Macron said “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians” in a post on X, adding that “Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed the sentiment, adding that “we must reach a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.” Whether this leads to an impasse remains to be seen.

But it is clear that a ceasefire and peace between Russia and Ukraine is still far away from reality.