Ukraine’s European allies expressed strong support for President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, meeting in London to discuss ongoing negotiations over a potential peace deal with Russia. The high-level talks were hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street and included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticised Zelensky, claiming the Ukrainian leader had not yet reviewed the U.S. proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict.
Trump’s remarks followed several days of negotiations between Ukrainian and American officials in Miami, which concluded on Saturday without a breakthrough. Zelensky committed to continuing discussions, while U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner had recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where parts of the U.S. proposal were reportedly rejected.
At the London meeting, German Chancellor Merz said he remained sceptical about certain aspects of the U.S. documents but stressed the importance of dialogue. French President Macron highlighted the need to reconcile European and Ukrainian positions with those of the United States, calling it the “main issue” in achieving a sustainable resolution.
Prime Minister Starmer, welcoming Zelensky to Downing Street with a hug, emphasised that the UK would not pressure the Ukrainian president to accept the U.S.-led deal, which had been criticised by European allies as favouring Russia. “The most important thing is to ensure that if there is a cessation of hostilities, it has to be just and lasting,” Starmer said, adding that discussions would focus on achieving a fair and durable outcome.
Zelensky himself noted the necessity of coordination between Europe and the United States, stating that “there are some things which we can’t manage without Americans, things which we can’t manage without Europe, and that’s why we need to make some important decisions.” Officials indicated that territorial issues remain the most contentious point in the negotiations.
The meeting also addressed the complex issue of how European nations might use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. A UK official confirmed that Starmer would brief Zelensky on the country’s broader support, including the potential mobilisation of these assets. Moscow’s ambassador to Germany had previously warned that an EU plan to use frozen Russian funds to aid Kyiv could have “far-reaching consequences” for the bloc, reflecting the delicate balance European leaders must navigate in coordinating support while maintaining diplomatic and economic stability.
Overall, the London talks underscored the continued alignment of European allies behind Zelensky, even as the U.S. proposal faces scrutiny and negotiation challenges persist over the terms of a potential peace agreement with Russia.
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