The key facts

  • Gideon Rachman (FT): Europe is preparing independent talks with Putin; a phone call is possible in the near future.
  • Two scenarios: a freeze along the current front line with a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO, or handing Donbas to Russia followed by NATO membership.
  • Rubio: the war is in a 'strategic stalemate,' 'no one will win this war'; Russia proposed a trilateral US–China summit in Beijing without Zelensky's participation.

European leaders' plans

European leaders plan to hold independent talks with the Kremlin on ending the war in Ukraine. This was reported by Financial Times international affairs columnist Gideon Rachman. According to him, against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the US and Ukrainian presidents, European leaders may hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future.

Two scenarios for ending the war

During possible talks, Putin is expected to be offered two options for ending the war. Under the first scenario, 'the conflict will be frozen' along the current front line, and in return Russia will be given guarantees that Ukraine will never become a NATO member. Under the second scenario, Ukraine will cede the remaining part of Donbas to Russia, but will then join NATO. Rachman cites these options without referencing sources.

Statements by Marco Rubio

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the war in Ukraine has reached a 'strategic stalemate.' He explained this by saying that Russia demands full control over Donbas, while Kyiv opposes this. 'There are only two ways out of the strategic stalemate: either reaching an agreement at the negotiating table, or a path that goes beyond the original conflict and leads to escalation by one or both sides. At this point, prospects for a negotiated settlement are not visible. We are ready to play any role in this process,' he said in October in an interview with the Greek outlet Kathimerini.

'No one will win' and the trilateral summit

On October 19, Marco Rubio, speaking in Samarkand, said that 'no one will win this war.' He noted that US President Donald Trump is ready to take any steps that could help end the conflict. 'In the war in Ukraine, no one will win. People die every day. Explosions and destruction are recorded every day,' the Secretary of State said. Against the backdrop of this statement, it became known that Russia proposed holding a trilateral summit with the participation of the leaders of the US and China. The President of Ukraine will not take part in the summit planned in Beijing. The parties will consider the issue of the war in Ukraine, but Trump said he also wants to discuss the topic of nuclear weapons.