UK, EU back ceasefire talks on current line of contact
Leaders from Ukraine, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and EU institutions issued a joint statement on 21 October 2025. They call for an immediate stop to the fighting and for talks to start from the current line of contact, while stressing that borders must not be changed by force.
The statement also backs US President Donald Trump’s position on how to begin talks and adds a financial plank: governments are exploring ways to use the full value of Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets so Ukraine has the resources it needs.
If you’re hearing “line of contact” for the first time, think of it as the live front line at the moment a ceasefire begins. It is not a recognised international border and it can move as the war moves. Using it as a starting point for talks simply fixes where negotiations begin, not where they end.
That distinction matters because the same statement reiterates that international borders cannot be altered by force. In other words, starting from the line of contact doesn’t prejudge Ukraine’s legal borders; it sets a practical frame for talks while keeping sovereignty claims intact.
There are trade‑offs. A starting point based on where troops stand today might help stop the bloodshed quickly and open space for prisoner exchanges, aid access and de‑mining. But if negotiations stall, temporary lines can harden, leaving civilians living with uncertainty under de facto occupation.
You’ll also see the phrase “immobilised sovereign assets”. After Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022, many countries froze state‑controlled reserves and securities held in their financial systems. “Immobilised” means those funds are blocked from being moved; they are not the property of the freezing state. “Sovereign assets” here mainly refers to Russia’s central bank holdings and, in some cases, state‑linked funds held abroad.
So what might “using the full value” mean? Options discussed by policymakers include seizing the principal outright, issuing loans backed by the assets, or earmarking income streams from them. Each route carries legal and financial risks, from state immunity questions to how markets view the safety of central bank reserves, which is why governments have been cautious.
The leaders also say Ukraine should be in the strongest possible position “before, during, and after” any ceasefire. In practice, that points to sustained air defence, munitions, training, budget support and repairs to energy systems while talks are under way.
Who signed? The GOV.UK release lists President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Germany’s Chancellor Merz, France’s President Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni, Poland’s Prime Minister Tusk, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, and Nordic and Baltic partners among others. The page notes extra signatories were added on 22 and 25 October 2025.
What happens next is process, not a finale. Leaders said they would pick this up at the European Council and in a “Coalition of the Willing” format later in the week of 21 October 2025-shorthand for a group of governments coordinating support alongside, not instead of, NATO and EU work. Watch for concrete steps on ceasefire confidence‑building and any legal text on assets.
When you read statements like this, pay attention to verbs. “Support” signals political cover; “developing measures” suggests policy design is in motion but not final; “will meet” is a timing cue. None of this guarantees a ceasefire, but it tells you where momentum is building and where to look for follow‑up.
Two quick takeaways to teach or revise with your class. First, line of contact is a negotiating device, not a peace deal. Second, immobilised sovereign assets are frozen state funds; moving from using their profits to their full principal would be a major shift, so expect careful legal drafting and wide consultation before anything moves.