European Leaders Rally Behind Zelenskyy: A Pivotal Moment for Ukraine's Future

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Key Points

Leaders of Britain, France, and Germany met Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in London in a show of united support for Ukraine.
The meeting comes as pressure mounts on Ukraine to accept a US-proposed ceasefire plan with Russia.
European leaders fear Ukraine may be pressured into accepting terms that favour Russia and risk disrupting Europe.

The leaders of France, Germany and Britain staged a strong show of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London at what they described as a “crucial time” for their European ally.

At a hastily arranged meeting, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Zelenskyy said they wanted to come up with firm plans in case of a peace deal.

A British government source said the leaders would discuss using the value of frozen Russian assets.

Earlier, leaders from Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden urged the European Union to move quickly with a proposal to use the frozen assets to provide financing for Ukraine.

In the ongoing geopolitical chess game, figures like Starmer, Macron, Merz, and Zelenskyy are keen to secure U.S. security assurances as a bulwark against further aggression from Russia. This need has become especially pronounced since Russia embarked on its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The publication of a US ceasefire plan last month has gone some way to focus the minds of European leaders, who fear that Ukraine could be forced to accept terms that are favourable to Russia and which some say could destabilise the continent.

“We stand with Ukraine and if there was to be a ceasefire, it has to be a just and lasting ceasefire,” Starmer said after welcoming the leaders to his Downing Street residence.

Macron and Merz also expressed their determination to press on with a firm plan, at a time the German chancellor described as “decisive … for all of us”.

Zelenskyy pointed to the delicate balancing act the European powers need to strike as they try to negotiate better terms to the proposed US plan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of international cooperation: “There are some things we can’t manage without the Americans, things we can’t manage without Europe, that’s why we need to make some important decisions,” he stated. His words underscore the pressing need for transatlantic unity in the face of mounting Russian pressures.

Zelenskyy told Ukrainians in a video address late on Sunday it was the start of a “new diplomatic week”.

“First and foremost, security issues, support for our resilience, and support packages for our defence. First and foremost, air defence and long-term funding for Ukraine. Of course, we will discuss a shared vision and common positions in the negotiations,” he said.

As Ukraine navigates one of the most challenging phases of the nearly four-year conflict, Russian forces are steadily advancing in the eastern regions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities and towns are grappling with prolonged power outages, a consequence of Russia’s intensified assaults on the nation’s energy infrastructure and other vital systems. The situation is a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust international support to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and deter further aggression.

US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner brought a revised plan to Moscow last week, then held several days of further talks with Ukrainian officials in Miami, which ended on Saturday with no breakthrough.

US officials said they were in the final stage of reaching an agreement. But so far there has been little sign that either Ukraine or Russia is willing to sign the framework deal drawn up by Trump’s negotiating team.