Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that any future negotiations with Russia must begin from the current front lines, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to its territorial integrity. He stressed that de-escalation is a prerequisite for lasting peace. Zelenskyy also highlighted the critical role of security guarantees for Ukraine, underscoring the importance of support from the United States and European leaders in securing these guarantees.
In parallel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment that the primary objective is to "stop the bloodshed," affirming the EU's continued diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia through sanctions. She announced preparations for the 19th sanctions package, expected in early September. Ukraine views its potential accession to the European Union as a form of partial security guarantee. Zelenskyy expressed concern over any potential division in the approach to Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, particularly if it were to be separated from Moldova's process, believing such a division would signal a lack of a unified European stance on security guarantees for Ukraine. Reports suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump is inclined to support a peace plan involving the freezing of front lines in exchange for territorial concessions, a notion that Ukraine and some European allies find concerning as it could empower Moscow. The efficacy of using current front lines as a basis for negotiations is historically debated, with past agreements like the Minsk agreements facing implementation challenges. The EU's commitment to Ukraine's security is further demonstrated by efforts to bolster the bloc's defense capabilities and support Ukraine's defense industry.