The key facts
- Zelensky called freezing the front a realistic way to end the war
- Steve Witkoff held talks with Putin in St. Petersburg
- Kyiv accused Washington of slowing down the Starshield system
Zelensky's statement on freezing the front
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Fox News' program 'Fox and Friends' on Wednesday that halting hostilities along the current front line is the most realistic path to ending the war with Russia. 'Right now we need to freeze, and I think this is a real way to end this war. We call it a ceasefire... freeze and stop,' he said, answering a question about whether he was ready to accept a deal fixing the front along the current lines.
Witkoff's talks with Putin
Zelensky's comments came amid US special envoy Steve Witkoff holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is ready to negotiate in any format and on any topics, but insists on Kyiv's direct participation: 'Do not speak about us without us, please.'
Demand for security guarantees
Zelensky stressed that any agreement must be accompanied by security guarantees from Ukraine's partners, including the US and European allies. According to him, such guarantees would mean that Ukrainians would not fear the return of occupation, aggression, and killings.
Dispute over satellite communications
The interview aired a few days after Kyiv accused Washington of deliberately slowing down Starshield — SpaceX's military communications system on which Ukrainian forces at the front depend. Ukraine also uses the civilian satellite network Starlink. Zelensky said both services remain 'limited,' but added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised him to work with his team on unlocking access.
The role of Musk and Trump
As The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, SpaceX owner Elon Musk personally gave the order to restrict Starshield services. Musk had previously suggested that any restrictions came from Trump, but the US president denied this.
