Costa said he spoke with Zelenskiy to better understand the latest developments and Ukraine’s expectations from the negotiating process.
He stressed that coordination among EU member states would strengthen Europe’s overall influence in shaping a credible path toward peace.

According to Costa, clarity and unity within the EU will help ensure that any outcome supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term stability. He highlighted that Europe must remain consistent and aligned in both diplomatic messaging and political commitments.

The meeting of EU leaders, although informal, was considered significant in determining the next steps of Europe’s role in peace efforts.
Participants focused on evaluating the current situation and discussing pathways for a comprehensive diplomatic approach.

Costa emphasized that Europe’s responsibility goes beyond supporting peace initiatives. He noted that stability in Ukraine directly influences the security and economic well-being of the entire continent.

He explained that fragmented positions within the EU could weaken negotiation efforts and send mixed signals to international partners.
A common approach, he argued, would help ensure that the diplomatic process remains firmly oriented toward constructive results.

Zelenskiy, during their discussion, provided his assessment of the on-ground environment and the challenges Ukraine continues to face.
Costa reaffirmed that European leaders remain committed to supporting Ukraine through political, economic, and humanitarian measures.

The EU has maintained that peace talks must reflect Ukraine’s needs and respect international law. At the same time, leaders acknowledge that dialogue requires careful coordination and consistent communication among all member states.

Costa expressed confidence that the EU can help guide the negotiations effectively if it presents a unified front. He added that member states share a common interest in preventing further destabilization in the region.

The informal gathering of EU leaders was part of broader diplomatic efforts to reassess Europe’s role in pushing for a sustainable peace agreement. Discussions also touched on geopolitical risks and the wider implications for European security and global partnerships.

European officials continue working closely with Ukrainian representatives to align strategies and expectations. Their focus includes supporting reconstruction goals, reinforcing Ukraine’s institutions, and strengthening long-term resilience.

Costa reiterated that maintaining EU unity is not only a matter of political coherence. It is also essential for preserving credibility and ensuring the effectiveness of negotiations at the international level.

He encouraged leaders to reinforce their commitment to shared objectives and avoid approaches that might create unnecessary divisions.
Strong coordination, he said, increases Europe’s leverage in shaping diplomatic outcomes.

As international observers watch the evolving peace efforts, the EU seeks to demonstrate steady leadership. Officials say that Europe’s proactive engagement remains vital for promoting stability and defending shared values.

Costa concluded that the union’s collective responsibility is to support a just and lasting peace settlement. He stated that Europe must remain firmly committed to acting together throughout the entire negotiation process.

While Zelenskiy arrived seeking advanced weaponry such as Tomahawk missiles, the talks ultimately centered on diplomacy, dialogue, and the possibility of a negotiated settlement that could bring an end to years of devastation.

Trump’s tone throughout the meeting was notably conciliatory and focused on immediate de-escalation. “You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home,” he said, urging Ukraine and Russia to “stop the killing” and return to peace talks. His emphasis on diplomacy over weaponry highlights a broader strategic vision — one that seeks to restore stability through negotiation rather than escalation.

The discussion came at a sensitive moment, as both Russia and Ukraine weigh the human and economic costs of a prolonged war. Trump, who is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, has positioned himself as a potential mediator capable of reviving dialogue between the two nations.

His willingness to engage with both leaders signals a proactive American role in fostering global peace efforts.

President Zelenskiy, while reiterating Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty, acknowledged the importance of Trump’s approach. “We want this. Putin doesn’t want (it),” Zelenskiy said, stressing that Ukraine is prepared to work toward a ceasefire if Russia shows genuine commitment. Despite the challenges, the Ukrainian leader expressed optimism that Trump’s influence could help push Moscow back to the negotiating table.

While Trump did not rule out future military assistance, including the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine, he emphasized that the United States must balance its own defense priorities. “We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” Trump stated.

His words reflected a cautious but clear message — that long-term peace requires more than arms transfers; it requires mutual compromise and constructive engagement.

The meeting, described as “productive” by Zelenskiy, underscored a shared understanding between the two leaders. Following their private talks, Zelenskiy told reporters that while the U.S. was not immediately providing new weapons, he remained hopeful that Trump’s diplomatic outreach to Putin could lead to an eventual ceasefire.

“President Trump is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak,” Zelenskiy said.

The international community has responded with cautious optimism. A spokesperson for the European Union welcomed the renewed talks, saying that “any initiative that helps bring peace to Ukraine is a step in the right direction.” The Kremlin also indicated a willingness to continue discussions, noting that while much remains undecided, dialogue remains open.

Observers believe that Trump’s push for direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow could help break the diplomatic stalemate that has persisted since 2022. His approach, blending realism with negotiation, could pave the way for what many hope will be a sustainable peace framework — one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty while addressing security concerns across the region.

Beyond politics, the Trump–Zelenskiy meeting reflected a humanitarian shift in focus — from confrontation to cooperation. Both leaders expressed concern for the millions affected by the conflict and stressed the importance of rebuilding efforts once hostilities cease. Trump’s emphasis on “going home to families” resonated with war-weary populations on both sides.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy’s continued dialogue with European leaders following the meeting suggests a coordinated international effort to support diplomatic solutions. Analysts note that Ukraine’s resilience, combined with Trump’s outreach to Russia, could create a foundation for renewed negotiations under global supervision.

Although uncertainties remain, the White House discussions symbolized a meaningful step toward peace. President Trump’s call for an immediate halt to hostilities, paired with President Zelenskiy’s pragmatic acknowledgment of the situation, offers a glimpse of hope that the war could shift from the battlefield to the negotiating table.

As the world watches, the possibility of dialogue between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow stands as a reminder that diplomacy — when backed by determination and goodwill — can still change the course of history.

Both leaders’ focus on stability, humanitarian recovery, and cooperation signals a positive path forward, rekindling hopes for peace in Europe’s most enduring conflict.

The capture of all of Donetsk is a key aim of the war for Russia, which currently controls over 70% of the region.

Russia’s spring and summer offensives this year have failed to meet their goals, Ukraine’s military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said, adding that Russia was firing twice as much artillery as Ukraine on the battlefield.

“It can be said that the Russians’ spring and summer campaign has effectively been disrupted,” Syrskyi told reporters at a meeting.

Russia has been making incremental gains across several parts of the front line, after large-scale deployment of reconnaissance and attack drones has prevented quick progress of the sort seen in 2022.

Ukraine says the small advances are coming at a high human cost. Both sides in the war only rarely discuss casualties, but some Western intelligence estimates put the number of killed and wounded in Ukraine at more than one million.

Small Russian infantry assaults

Syrskyi said the active front line was now 1,250 km (777 miles) long, and that an estimated 712,000 Russian personnel were involved in the fighting in Ukraine.

Syrskyi said Russian plans to create a “buffer zone” in Sumy and Kharkiv regions in the north and northeast, to take the city of Pokrovsk and to capture all of Donetsk region had failed.

The capture of all of Donetsk is a key aim of the war for Russia, which currently controls over 70% of the region.

Syrskyi said that since the beginning of summer the Russians had been attacking with a tactic that he called “a thousand cuts” – a high number of tiny infantry assaults.

“This consists of the simultaneous use of a large number of small assault groups – 4-6 servicemen who advance using the terrain, ravines, and wooded areas, with the main aim of penetrating as deeply as possible into our territory.”

Speaking about a Russian breakthrough in August near the Donetsk town of Dobropillia, Syrskyi said Ukraine had cut off Russian forces along the Kazenyi Torets river in what he called a “trap”.

Sudden change in Trump’s rhetoric

The commander added that in the last two months, Ukraine had hit 85 military or military-industrial facilities on Russian territory, including air bases, depots and factories.

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly changed his view of the war from one where he said Kyiv had no cards to play to one where Ukraine could take back all of the ground it has lost so far – roughly 20% of its total territory.

He did not, however, offer substantial new assistance to Ukraine to achieve these goals and has shifted the onus on to European allies.

Russia says,it is advancing in Ukraine and that Kyiv would be best advised to negotiate peace sooner rather than later. Ukraine has rejected Russia’s terms for negotiations, saying they would amount to surrender.