The leaders of Britain, Germany, and France have endorsed a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Europe is prepared to support diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and ending the ongoing war.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their backing in a joint statement issued after meeting Zelenskiy in London on Sunday.
The three leaders, who head the E3 security alliance and remain among Ukraine’s strongest international supporters, welcomed Zelenskiy’s call for direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, with participation from both Europe and the United States.
“Leaders commended President Zelenskiy’s call for an end to the war, negotiated by diplomatic means, as set out in his letter to the president,” the statement said.
Zelenskiy recently issued an open letter to Putin proposing face-to-face talks aimed at ending the war, now in its fifth year.
However, the Russian president rejected the proposal, saying he saw no immediate basis for such a meeting and insisting that any settlement must guarantee a long-term resolution to the conflict.
During the London meeting, Zelenskiy also discussed Ukraine’s urgent military needs with European leaders, including additional air defence systems following some of the most intense Russian aerial attacks since the war began in 2022.
“Russia is not winning on the battlefield, and our mid-range strikes and deep strikes are significantly limiting its ability to expand its aggression.
”But it is also extremely important to have protection against ballistic threats, with which the Russians are terrorizing our cities and communities,” Zelenskiy said.
The four leaders agreed that any path toward a “just and lasting peace” must begin with an immediate and complete ceasefire.
They also proposed that the current front line could serve as a basis for future negotiations.
They further emphasised the need for legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, including the potential deployment of a multinational force, while insisting that Russian assets should remain frozen until compensation is paid for war damages.
Zelenskiy said the talks focused on reviving diplomatic efforts and strengthening Europe’s role in any future negotiations.
“For Ukraine, it has always been a priority that Europe’s position and voice in the negotiations be strong,” he said.
Prime Minister Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s support following the meeting, saying: “Our support for Ukraine is ironclad. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking last week, maintained his position on the war but said proposals advanced by U.S. President Donald Trump could help end the conflict if Ukraine agrees to make certain compromises.
