LONDON – In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s position in ongoing diplomatic negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened with leaders from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in London on Monday. These discussions are part of a concerted effort by Europe’s allies to support a U.S.-led initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the meeting at 10 Downing Street, where Zelenskyy was joined by President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The gathering underscores the commitment of these European nations to find a peaceful resolution.
As Zelenskyy outlined on Sunday, his discussions in London and the upcoming talks in Brussels will center on enhancing Ukraine’s security measures, improving air defense capabilities, and securing long-term financial support for the country’s military efforts. The leaders aim to establish a ceasefire backed by robust security guarantees from both Europe and the U.S. to prevent future aggression from Russia.
Recently, U.S. and Ukrainian officials wrapped up a three-day negotiation session, focusing on bridging differences related to the American-proposed peace plan. These discussions are crucial as they shape the framework for potential resolutions.
In a Telegram update, Zelenskyy described the discussions as “substantive.” He mentioned that National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov are returning to Europe to provide him with a detailed briefing.
A significant challenge within the peace plan is the proposed cession of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region to Russia, a region currently under illegal occupation. Ukraine, along with its European partners, is firmly opposed to forfeiting any part of its territory, emphasizing the complexity of the negotiations.
In an exchange with reporters on Sunday night, President Donald Trump appeared frustrated with Zelenskyy, claiming the Ukrainian leader “hasn’t yet read the proposal.”
“Russia is, I believe, fine with it, but I’m not sure that Zelenskyy’s fine with it,” Trump said before taking part in the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. “His people love it, but he hasn’t read it.”
Trump has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Zelenskyy since riding into a second White House term insisting that the war was a waste of U.S. taxpayers’ money. Trump has also repeatedly urged the Ukrainians to cede land to Russia to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict.
The European talks follow the publication of a new U.S. national security strategy that alarmed European leaders and was welcomed by Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the document, which spells out the administration’s core foreign policy interests, was largely in line with Moscow’s vision.
The document released Friday by the White House said the U.S. wants to improve its relationship with Russia after years of Moscow being treated as a global pariah and that ending the war is a core U.S. interest to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.”
The document also says NATO must not be “a perpetually expanding alliance,” echoing another complaint of Russia’s. It was scathing about the migration and free speech policies of longstanding U.S. allies in Europe, suggesting they face the “prospect of civilizational erasure” due to migration.
Starmer’s government has declined to comment on the American document, saying it is a matter for the U.S. government.
As diplomatic efforts continued, Russian forces continued to assault Ukraine over the weekend. At least four people were killed in drone and missile strikes on Sunday, while Moscow continues to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure as winter sets in.
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses destroyed 67 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Monday. The drones were shot down over 11 Russian regions, it said.
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Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.
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