Zelenskyy backs freezing front line as first step towards ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told US broadcaster Fox News that halting fighting along the current front line is the most realistic way to end the war. He stressed that Kyiv must be directly involved in talks and that security guarantees are required.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, 21 October, that stopping the fighting along the current front line is the most realistic route to ending the war with Russia, and would open the way to ceasefire talks. He made the remarks on the programme "Fox and Friends" on US broadcaster Fox News. The comments matter because they point to one possible scenario for ending the war, which would see the front fixed in its present positions.
"Right now we have to freeze, and I think this is the real way to end this war. We call it ceasefire... freeze and stop," Zelenskyy said. He had been asked whether he would accept a deal that fixed the front along its current lines.
His remarks came as US special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg.
Negotiation format and security guarantees
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to negotiate in any format, but insisted that Kyiv must be directly involved. "I always said that we are open to negotiate in any format, any topics. But don't speak about us without us, please," he said.
He also stressed that any agreement must include security guarantees from Ukraine's partners, including the United States and European allies. According to him, such guarantees would mean Ukrainians are not afraid that occupation, aggression and killings will return.
Satellite dispute
The interview came days after Kyiv accused Washington of deliberately slowing Starshield, a military communications system operated by SpaceX that Ukrainian forces rely on at the front. Ukraine also uses Starlink, SpaceX's civilian satellite network.
Zelenskyy said both services remained "still limited", but added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him he would work with his team to unblock them.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that SpaceX owner Elon Musk had personally ordered the cut in Starshield services. Musk had previously suggested that any restrictions would have come from President Donald Trump, a claim Trump has denied.
