Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany in London as Kyiv faces growing pressure from Washington to cede territory to Russia in exchange for a rapid peace settlement.
The London talks followed several days of difficult negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials, which ended without a breakthrough. Zelenskyy described the discussions as “constructive, although not easy,” underscoring that the main sticking point remains territorial concessions demanded by Moscow. Ukrainian officials say the US is pushing to accelerate a deal, but Kyiv insists it cannot agree without clear and secure terms.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed strong support for Ukraine, distancing themselves from Washington’s proposal. They stressed that peace must be “just, lasting, and determined by Ukraine,” with Starmer reiterating that Europe would not pressure Kyiv into an unfavorable agreement. France and Germany also highlighted the need for stronger European security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy is expected to hold further discussions with senior NATO officials and the European Commission in Brussels, where security guarantees and the status of occupied territories will remain central topics. Recent Ukrainian polling shows clear public opposition to surrendering land, contradicting US claims of domestic support for the plan.
Despite Washington’s push, both Ukraine and Russia appear unwilling to sign the proposed framework. Disagreements persist over security guarantees, future NATO alignment, and control of Russian-occupied regions. European leaders emphasized that the coming days could be crucial, but reaffirmed that Ukraine must shape its own path to peace.