Zelenskyy opens door to battle line ‘freeze’ to end war with Russia
Russia’s release of retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard drew a response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an interview with Brian Kilmeade. Appearing on “Fox & Friends,” Zelenskyy discussed negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia, the fallout from the Starlink dispute and other developments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he is willing to consider freezing the current front lines as part of an effort to bring the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war to an end.
Kilmeade asked whether Zelenskyy would accept a peace agreement that preserved the situation as it stands, allowing Ukraine to retain at least 75% of its territory despite how the conflict began.
“Yes, right now, we have to freeze,” Zelenskyy replied. He described the step as a realistic path toward ending the war, referring to it as a ceasefire or “stop killing,” echoing language used by President Trump.
“Freeze and stop. And, of course, this is the minimum of what we need from Russia today,” Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine would then turn to the president and European leaders to seek security guarantees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in Oslo, Norway. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB Scanpix via AP)
Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of giving Ukrainians confidence that it is safe to return home. He said 9.5 million people who have lost their homes are living abroad and elsewhere, and that Ukraine needs them to come back to rebuild the country and resume normal life.
Russia has repeatedly opposed ceasefire proposals involving Ukraine, arguing that a pause would give Kyiv an opportunity to replenish its weapons and strengthen its forces.
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Policemen walk in front of destroyed cars in the yard of a multi-story residential building damaged by a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)
“There will be no ceasefire to bring him back to his senses and pump him full of weapons,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last week, according to the Interfax news agency.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russia was attacking Ukraine “virtually every hour.”
“Of course, we are not losing this war. But we are losing people,” Zelenskyy wrote. He said Russian attacks were costing Ukraine both lives and time, adding that children and adults alike were being denied a normal life.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, holds a paper while speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace in Strelna, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Gavriil Grigorov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin via AP)
“That’s why we need to end this war as quickly as possible,” Zelenskyy said. He expressed hope that American and European allies would support Ukraine, while praising the country’s soldiers for helping him remain resolute during negotiations.
Zelenskyy’s comments came as President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Russia had released Stephen Hubbard, a retired U.S. teacher who had been detained on charges of fighting in Ukraine as a mercenary.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also agreed “in principle” to resume trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine after Nov. 10, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser. The Associated Press reported the development.
News Media’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this post.