Zelenskyy Backs Trump Freeze, Seeks Western Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducted a European diplomatic tour, meeting Western leaders in London and Oslo and holding a ceremonial audience with King Charles III in Windsor to shore up political and military backing. He urged continued U.S. involvement in post‑war security guarantees while avoiding publicly pressing for Tomahawk cruise missiles that Washington has so far withheld. Zelenskyy welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to freeze the war at current front lines as “a good compromise” but expressed doubts that Vladimir Putin would accept such a halt. Western partners in London are balancing pressure — including new sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s energy revenues — with calls to bolster Ukraine’s long‑range strike capabilities, a stance reflected in UK interest in additional long‑range systems. Moscow has rejected ceasefire‑in‑place plans and continued heavy strikes, including deadly bombardments in Kyiv and Kharkiv, underscoring the humanitarian toll. U.S.–Russia diplomatic contact and a planned Trump–Putin summit remain uncertain.