Britain, France and Germany have thrown their support behind a proposal for direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the war gain renewed attention.
The leaders of the three European nations met with Zelenskyy in London on Sunday, where discussions focused on possible pathways toward a ceasefire and the conditions required for a lasting peace agreement. The meeting brought together British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz under the E3 partnership, a key group supporting Ukraine throughout the conflict.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the leaders welcomed Zelenskyy’s recent call for negotiations with Moscow and stressed that both Europe and the United States should remain actively involved in any future peace process.
The Ukrainian president has recently renewed his appeal for direct engagement with Putin, arguing that diplomacy offers the best opportunity to bring an end to a conflict that has entered its fifth year. However, the proposal has so far been rejected by the Kremlin, with Putin questioning Kyiv’s intentions and insisting that any agreement must provide long-term guarantees.
During the London meeting, Zelenskyy also raised Ukraine’s need for additional air defence support. He said Russian missile and drone attacks continue to threaten Ukrainian cities and emphasized the importance of strengthening protection against ballistic strikes.
The discussions came shortly after a series of large-scale Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine, including attacks targeting Kyiv. Despite ongoing military pressure, Zelenskyy maintained that Ukrainian forces have continued to limit Russia’s ability to expand its operations.
The four leaders agreed that any future settlement should begin with an immediate ceasefire. They also argued that Ukraine must receive binding security guarantees and that compensation for war-related damage should remain part of any final agreement. In addition, they said broader European security concerns must be taken into account during negotiations.
Speaking after the meeting, Zelenskyy said Europe should have a strong voice in any diplomatic process aimed at ending the war. Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Kyiv, describing support for Ukraine as unwavering and linking the country’s security directly to the stability of Europe.
Although differences between Kyiv and Moscow remain significant, European leaders signaled their readiness to support diplomatic efforts should an opportunity for meaningful negotiations emerge.