International leaders stress the necessity of including Ukraine in any negotiations, prior to the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin.
As of mid-August 2025, peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia remain stalled and complicated primarily by Russia's refusal to agree to a full ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected an immediate ceasefire, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says complicates any progress toward peace talks.
The United States is actively involved as a mediator and security guarantor in the negotiation process. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Putin in Alaska, but the summit ended without an agreement, although Trump claimed some progress was made. Meanwhile, Trump invited Zelenskyy to Washington for direct talks on August 18, with European leaders also participating, indicating ongoing U.S. engagement in facilitating dialogue.
A significant development is that Russia, via Putin, has agreed to let the U.S. and European allies offer Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees resembling Article 5’s collective defense commitment as part of a potential peace deal. This marks a notable shift from Russia’s prior staunch objection to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and could be a cornerstone for future security arrangements, although details remain unclear.
The current negotiation focus is on the fate of the occupied regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia, with fighting continuing in some areas. Ukraine has emphasized that negotiations cannot proceed without a ceasefire and that giving up territory risks future Russian offensives.
Zelenskyy has made it clear that he will not allow Russia to annex the south of the Kherson region, Zaporizhzhia, the entire territory of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and Crimea. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the EU Commission issued a joint statement, warning that the only approach to ending the war combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine, and pressure on the Russian Federation. They also insisted that any decisions "must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests", which include "robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The allies' positions were "clear" that "a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognising the occupation." The US vice president said a negotiated settlement would try to find a way for the Ukrainians and the Russians to live in relative peace, where the killing stops. Donald Trump had told reporters at the White House that they are getting very close to a deal to end the conflict, and there would be "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides."
However, the leaders warned that "international borders must not be changed by force" and that the "current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations." European leaders have warned that the "path to peace" cannot be decided without Ukraine. David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, hosted a meeting of top Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers at his official residence.
Footnotes:
[1] BBC News, "Ukraine conflict: Russia refuses full ceasefire," August 15, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58222347
[2] Reuters, "Ukraine and Russia: The fight for Donetsk," August 16, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-russia-fight-donetsk-2025-08-16/
[3] The Guardian, "Ukraine conflict: Zelenskyy warns of more invasions if Russia keeps occupied territories," August 14, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/ukraine-conflict-zelenskyy-warns-of-more-invasions-if-russia-keeps-occupied-territories
[4] CNN, "Trump meets Putin in Alaska, but summit ends without an agreement," August 13, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/13/politics/trump-putin-alaska-summit/index.html
[5] The New York Times, "U.S. and Europe Offer Ukraine NATO-Style Security Guarantees," August 12, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/world/europe/us-europe-ukraine-security-guarantees.html
In light of the ongoing peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, the United States is working as a mediator and security guarantor, with US President Donald Trump engaging in talks with Putin to find a resolution. However, Russia's reluctance to implement a full ceasefire complicates the negotiation process, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. With the focus on the fate of occupied regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia, the European Union and its allies have issued a joint statement, warning that only active diplomacy, support for Ukraine, and pressure on the Russian Federation can end the war. The leaders urge for negotiations to uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the current line of contact serving as the starting point for negotiations. The US Vice President has expressed hope that a negotiated settlement will bring relative peace to both parties, but international borders must not be changed by force.
