Towards an end to the conflict in Ukraine? Zelensky demands an “immediate, complete and unconditional” ceasefire

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for an “immediate, complete and unconditional” ceasefire in Ukraine, while a Ukrainian delegation is in London for talks with its Western allies in a reduced format.
 

“We insist on an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire,” the Ukrainian leader said on Telegram, reiterating his position from the previous day that peace negotiations can only begin after a ceasefire has been announced. “Preserving lives must be an absolute priority for all partners,” he continued.  A meeting at foreign minister level between Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans was due to take place in London on Wednesday, but the Foreign Office announced in the morning that it had been “postponed”.
  

Discussions are continuing in a reduced format, closed to the press. A source within the presidency in Kiev said on condition of anonymity that the Ukrainian delegation would nevertheless meet Donald Trump's emissary, Keith Kellogg, in London on Wednesday. The head of Ukraine's presidential administration, Andriy Iermak, who is in London with two ministers, said earlier that the day's talks should focus on “ways to achieve a complete and unconditional ceasefire”.
 

It is “up to Ukraine to decide its future”, said a Downing Street spokesman on Wednesday when asked about US Vice President JD Vance's call for Moscow and Kiev to swap territory to achieve a ceasefire. “We support US-led efforts to bring a lasting end to the war. I think that's what we all want. Ultimately, it must be up to Ukraine to decide its future”, said the spokesman, as talks between Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans were taking place in London.