Downing Street on 21 October 2025 published a joint statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a wide group of European leaders. It backs an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says negotiations should start from the current line of contact, while reaffirming that borders cannot be changed by force. The page has since been updated to add further signatories on 22 and 25 October.
The text states that Ukraine should be placed in the strongest possible position before, during and after any ceasefire, and calls for increased pressure on Russia’s economy and defence industry. It also signals work to use the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine.
Follow‑up meetings took place later that week. EU leaders met at the European Council on 23–24 October, and on 24 October Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron co‑chaired a Coalition of the Willing session with President Zelenskyy. The chairs’ statement reiterated that talks should begin from the current line of contact and set out additional economic measures.
In plain terms, using the “current line of contact” means starting diplomacy from the front line as it stands at the moment a ceasefire takes effect. Leaders also restated that borders cannot be altered by force, addressing concerns that a ceasefire baseline implies recognition of territorial changes.
On sovereign assets, the pledge to seek the “full value” goes beyond the EU’s existing framework, which currently directs only net windfall profits from immobilised Russian central bank assets to Ukraine. The Commission estimates around €210 billion immobilised in the EU, yielding roughly €2.5–3 billion a year; the first €1.5 billion transfer was made on 26 July 2024.
Debate continues over whether to use principal or to collateralise assets. At the 23 October summit, EU leaders asked the Commission to bring forward options for 2026–27 funding but stopped short of backing a proposed reparation loan secured against frozen assets, citing legal and financial‑stability risks around Euroclear’s holdings.
In the UK, HM Treasury reports £25 billion of Russian assets frozen as of March 2025. In parallel, Coalition chairs set out steps to curb remaining Russian oil and gas flows and to act against the “shadow fleet” transporting embargoed crude-through sanctions, regulatory powers and enforcement.
The joint statement explicitly aligns with President Trump’s public position that fighting should stop immediately and that the front line should anchor initial talks. European capitals have coordinated with Washington on parameters for a ceasefire, including during an August leaders’ call that emphasised a ceasefire before political negotiations.
Security arrangements run alongside diplomacy. Coalition statements set out plans for a reassurance mission-Multinational Force Ukraine-to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate its armed forces once hostilities cease, with a UK‑French operational headquarters prepared for planning.
With winter approaching, leaders and Kyiv have prioritised air defence and energy resilience. After the 24 October London meeting, the Ukrainian Presidency highlighted the need to protect critical infrastructure, prevent blackouts and accelerate deliveries of air‑defence systems and interceptors.
The policy timetable now runs through December, when the European Commission is expected to table options for medium‑term Ukraine financing. In the interim, Coalition messaging points to tighter action on Russian oil and gas, measures against the shadow fleet, and continued transfers of proceeds from immobilised assets via EU instruments.
For reference, the GOV.UK page lists signatories from Ukraine, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, EU institutions and an expanded group of European prime ministers; the update log notes additional signatories were added on 22 and 25 October.