Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Sunday with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in London for talks about the war with Russia. While the media and Ukraine highlight military successes and reports claim Russia is losing ground, the first demand from Zelensky, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz is an immediate ceasefire.
After Sunday’s meeting, a joint statement was presented in which the parties outlined five fundamental conditions for a future peace agreement to be possible, a development reported by both British and Ukrainian media.
The talks were held within the framework of the so-called E3 cooperation between the UK, France, and Germany, and centered on both continued military support for Ukraine and possible diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
In the joint statement, the leaders emphasized that a lasting peace must be based on clear terms. The first demand is that Russia accepts an immediate and complete ceasefire. Only then can negotiations begin based on the current frontline.
Furthermore, it is emphasized that Ukraine must be given strong and legally binding security guarantees if a ceasefire comes into effect. The leaders also opened the possibility for an international force to be tasked with monitoring and maintaining a future ceasefire.
A fourth demand concerns economic compensation for the extensive damages caused by the war. The European leaders stressed that Russian assets frozen in the West should not be released until the war is over and Russia has contributed to reconstruction.
Finally, it is asserted that European security interests must be considered in any future agreement. Issues affecting the EU or NATO should, according to the statement, not be decided without the approval of their respective member states or the alliance’s member countries.
Demanding Europe’s Inclusion
The meeting in London took place after Zelensky recently called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume direct peace talks between their countries.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president emphasized that European countries must have a more central role in the negotiations.
“Europe should take part in the negotiations, and Europe must be strong,” Zelensky stated.
In recent months, the United States has tried to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, but without a breakthrough. At the same time, several European leaders have expressed frustration over having limited influence over the peace process, despite Europe providing much of the support for Ukraine.
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France’s President Emmanuel Macron has previously emphasized that European countries must sooner or later be given a place at the negotiating table if a peace plan is to become reality and sustainable.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated after the meeting that support from the UK and its allies remains firm in order to achieve what he describes as a just and lasting peace.
Despite these diplomatic initiatives, Russian President Vladimir Putin has thus far rejected calls for a ceasefire. According to the Russian side, peace can be negotiated even without a ceasefire.