European leaders ready to support ceasefire talks between Ukraine, Russia

LONDON/KYIV — The leaders of Britain, Germany, and France said Sunday they support a proposal to open talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to secure a ceasefire, with Europe expected to play an active role in the process.

In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelenskiy’s call to end the war and his proposal for direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, alongside participation from the United States and European partners.

The three leaders, who form part of the informal E3 security cooperation group and remain key supporters of Ukraine, met Zelenskiy in London on Sunday.

The statement said the leaders “commended President Zelenskiy’s call for an end to the war, negotiated by diplomatic means,” referring to his recent letter proposing talks.

Zelenskiy said in a post on X that he also urged Starmer to provide additional missiles for air defense systems. His remarks came days after he issued an open proposal to Putin for face-to-face negotiations, aimed at ending a war now in its fifth year. The Kremlin has rejected the proposal.

Europe’s role in peace efforts

In his letter, Zelenskiy said Russians were increasingly affected by the war through economic pressure, including inflation and fuel shortages, and suggested there was growing public fatigue that could support peace efforts.

He also warned against waiting for renewed U.S. focus on the conflict, saying, “It would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention,” amid Washington’s attention to tensions in Iran.

President Vladimir Putin dismissed the proposal, saying it did not appear sincere and that he saw no immediate basis for direct talks, emphasizing the need for a longer-term agreement.

In London, Zelenskiy met the three European leaders following some of the most intense Russian airstrikes on Ukraine since the war began in 2022, including attacks on Kyiv.

“Russia is not winning on the battlefield, and our mid-range strikes and deep strikes are significantly limiting its ability to expand its aggression,” Zelenskiy said. “But it is also extremely important to have protection against ballistic threats, with which the Russians are terrorizing our cities and communities.”

Conditions for peace

The European leaders and Zelenskiy outlined several conditions they said would be necessary for a “just and lasting peace.” These begin with an immediate and complete ceasefire.

They said any negotiations should start from the current line of contact and stressed that Ukraine must receive legally binding security guarantees, including the possible deployment of a multinational force. They also called for Russian assets to remain frozen until Moscow compensates Ukraine for war-related damage.

The leaders added that broader European security interests must be protected in any eventual settlement.

Zelenskiy said on X that discussions also focused on ways to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts and strengthen Europe’s role in the process.

“For Ukraine, it has always been a priority that Europe’s position and voice in the negotiations be strong,” he said.

Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment after the meeting, posting on X that the UK would continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

“Our support for Ukraine is ironclad,” Starmer said. “Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security.”

Putin, meanwhile, maintained his hardline position during a meeting with international media on Thursday, though he said U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposals could potentially end the conflict if Ukraine were willing to make concessions.

— Reporting by Reuters