Ukraine: Facing Trump, Europe Considers Two Peace Options to Propose to Putin

According to a Financial Times column published on October 19, 2026, European leaders want to open their own channels for talks with Moscow rather than leave Washington in sole control of negotiations on Ukraine. They are concerned by Donald Trump’s rapprochement with Vladimir Putin, including their September phone call and reported US decisions in October concerning Russian diesel and Volodymyr Zelensky. Europe could offer Putin two scenarios: freeze the current front line in return for Ukraine never joining NATO, or have Kyiv cede the rest of Donbas to Russia while joining the alliance. These remain discussion options, not an agreed plan, and European leaders doubt Putin would accept either one.