European Leaders Back Zelensky’s Push for Direct Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

European leaders have voiced support for renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, backing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a meeting in London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined Zelensky in calling for negotiations with active participation from both Europe and the United States.

The leaders said diplomacy remains the best path toward ending a conflict that has entered its fifth year. Their support comes after Zelensky publicly proposed a face to face meeting with Putin in an effort to secure a ceasefire, though the Russian leader has so far rejected the idea.

Conditions for a Lasting Ukraine Peace Agreement

The four leaders outlined several conditions they believe are necessary for a sustainable peace settlement. These include an immediate and complete ceasefire, legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, and the continued freezing of Russian assets until compensation is provided for war-related damage.

They also said the current frontline should serve as the starting point for future negotiations. In addition, the leaders supported the idea of a multinational security force to help guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.

Zelensky Seeks More Air Defence Support

During the discussions, Zelensky requested additional missiles for Ukraine’s air defence systems, citing recent large scale Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities. He said Russian ballistic missile strikes continue to pose a major threat to civilians and infrastructure.

Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Ukraine, describing support for Kyiv as “ironclad.” Zelensky also stressed the importance of a strong European role in any future negotiations, arguing that Europe must remain actively involved rather than waiting for international attention to return to the conflict. Meanwhile, Putin maintained that any peace agreement would require compromises from Ukraine and questioned the sincerity of Zelensky’s proposal for direct talks.