The leaders of Britain, Germany and France on Sunday endorsed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and advance peace negotiations.
In a joint statement issued after meeting Zelensky at Downing Street, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the proposal and said Europe would play an active role in any future peace process.
Zelensky, who recently called on Putin to meet face-to-face, also stressed the need for additional air defense missiles, arguing that Ukraine has prevented Russia from achieving its military objectives despite continued missile and drone attacks.
The European leaders said the foundations of a just and lasting peace should include an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, negotiations based on current front lines, binding security guarantees for Ukraine and the continued freezing of Russian assets until compensation is paid for war-related damages.
The meeting took place as Ukraine faces some of the heaviest Russian aerial attacks since the start of the war. Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, while fighting along the front lines continues with heavy casualties reported on both sides.
Moscow has so far rejected Zelensky’s proposal for direct talks, though Putin has indicated that peace initiatives supported by U.S. President Donald Trump could be considered if Ukraine is prepared to make compromises. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have gained renewed attention amid concerns that the war could enter another prolonged phase.
The war, now in its fifth year, has triggered one of Europe’s largest humanitarian crises since World War II. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, while repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, residential areas and public services have placed growing pressure on civilians across the country.
Western governments have continued to provide military and financial support to Ukraine, arguing that sustained assistance is necessary to strengthen Kyiv’s position in any future negotiations. European leaders have repeatedly warned that a lasting peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
