LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in London on Sunday to discuss continued support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, including efforts to strengthen air defenses and explore diplomatic paths toward a ceasefire.
Zelenskiy held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street. The meeting took place in the E3 format, an informal security alliance of the three European powers that has been a key source of support for Ukraine.
The leaders discussed the “urgent need” to scale up production of defensive weapons and deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine following recent Russian missile and drone attacks, including the use of hypersonic Oreshnik missiles, according to a statement from Downing Street.
In a joint statement, the four leaders backed Zelenskiy’s recent call for direct ceasefire talks with Russia and expressed support for negotiations involving active participation by the United States and European countries. They outlined conditions for a “just and lasting” peace, though specific details of those conditions were not immediately elaborated in all reports.
Zelenskiy said the discussions focused on defense, the situation on the battlefield and intensifying diplomatic efforts. “I thank Britain, France and Germany for their support and readiness to help,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
The meeting came days after Zelenskiy published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing direct dialogue to end the war, which has stretched into its fifth year. European leaders commended the initiative while reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine.
The talks also addressed coordination ahead of upcoming international gatherings, including the G7 leaders’ summit. The leaders emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russia while supporting Ukraine’s prioritized defense needs.
No immediate announcements were made regarding new financial or military aid packages from the meeting. Details on any specific commitments beyond the joint statement remained limited as of Monday.
Zelenskiy was scheduled to meet King Charles III on Monday during his visit to Britain. The developments follow recent large-scale Russian air raids on Ukrainian cities.
As of early Monday, no further updates on the outcomes of the discussions or reactions from Moscow had been issued by the participating parties. The leaders agreed that their teams would continue working on next steps, officials said.
