Zelensky backs freezing front lines as Putin signals Ukraine talks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that a ceasefire freezing the current front line is the minimum step toward ending the war, with security guarantees from the United States and Europe to follow. He described a freeze as a way to move negotiations forward, not as a final settlement of territory, in an interview reported by [AP](https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-witkoff-putin-trump-zelenskyy-talks-3f00c0c6fd10bab948c2c3f8502e0a91) and [Reuters](https://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/ukraines-zelenskiy-says-he-supports-ceasefire-trilateral-talks-with-us-russia-4962642). The statement came as the Kremlin said Putin was willing “in principle” to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the U.S. after Nov. 10. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the proposed talks would address a postwar security framework, but no date or venue has been announced, according to [Reuters](https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/russia-is-willing-in-principle-to-join-new-ukraine-peace-talks-in-november-kremlin-says-4963406). The two announcements show overlapping interest in renewed diplomacy, but they do not amount to an agreed ceasefire or negotiating plan. Kyiv is emphasizing a freeze along the current front and guarantees; Moscow has so far described readiness to discuss postwar security. Zelenskyy has also called for a leaders’ meeting, while the Kremlin’s statement refers to trilateral negotiations.