Ukraine and three of its closest European allies have agreed on five conditions they say must guide any negotiations with Russia, as renewed attacks deepen concerns over the prospects for a lasting settlement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Sunday. Following the talks at Downing Street, the leaders said they would “stand firmly with Ukraine” and continue working towards a “just and lasting” end to the war.
Their proposals begin with a complete ceasefire, followed by negotiations based on the positions currently held by both sides. They also called for robust security guarantees for Kyiv, arguing that any agreement must reduce the risk of another Russian offensive.
The leaders said Ukraine must retain the freedom to determine its own defence arrangements and partnerships. Frozen Russian assets should also remain blocked until Moscow ends its invasion and compensates Ukraine for the destruction caused by the conflict. Any discussions affecting European security, NATO, or the European Union would also require the involvement of the countries concerned.
The meeting followed Zelenskyy’s call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly said the war will end only once Moscow achieves its objectives. The European leaders supported “a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia—with active U.S. and European participation.”
Their appeal comes as attention in Washington increasingly turns towards the conflict involving Iran, raising questions over the level of U.S. involvement in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
The London talks also took place amid another wave of attacks. Ukrainian authorities said a Russian drone damaged a building used for spent nuclear fuel near the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear plant. A fire was extinguished, no injuries were reported, and radiation levels remained stable.
“Russia deliberately struck this particular nuclear infrastructure facility,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, describing the attack as “vile.”
Elsewhere, at least three people were killed in a Russian strike near Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine has also expanded its ability to launch long-range drone operations inside Russia, including recent attacks around St Petersburg during a major economic forum attended by Putin.