LONDON, UK — European leaders have declared that "now is a critical moment" to dramatically increase support for Ukraine and intensify economic pressure on Russia to end the war. The statement followed a high-stakes meeting in London on Monday, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought unified backing ahead of delicate peace negotiations with the United States.
Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street to discuss the latest version of a U.S.-backed peace proposal. The meeting highlighted European efforts to balance firm support for Ukraine with the necessity of keeping the United States, under President Donald Trump, engaged in the diplomatic process.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Starmer's office said, "The leaders all agreed that now is a critical moment and that we must continue to ramp up support to Ukraine and economic pressure on Putin to bring an end to this barbaric war." The leaders also "underscored the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which includes robust security guarantees."
Navigating U.S.-Led Peace Talks
The discussions centered on a peace plan drafted between Ukrainian and U.S. officials the previous week in Florida. Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian negotiators had succeeded in removing what he called the "most certainly anti-Ukrainian points" from an initial November draft. However, significant hurdles remain, particularly regarding territory.
The U.S. proposal is reported to include a demand for Ukraine to withdraw its forces entirely from the eastern Donbas regions, which Russia has partially occupied but not fully captured. In return, Russia would withdraw from other areas, leading to a cessation of fighting. Zelensky has repeatedly rejected ceding territory as a reward for Russian aggression, warning it would provide a staging ground for future attacks.
"Americans are inclined, in principle, to finding a compromise," Zelensky acknowledged after the London meeting. But he stressed that a compromise on territory had "not yet been found" and that the crucial issue of long-term security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression remained unresolved.
European Scepticism and Strategic Concerns
The European leaders expressed cautious support for the U.S.-led talks but revealed underlying concerns. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he was "sceptical" about some details of the potential plan but emphasized, "we have to talk about it. That's why we are here."
There is palpable anxiety in European capitals that the Trump administration, eager for a swift deal, could pressure Ukraine into an unfavorable agreement or even withdraw support if negotiations stall. European nations are striving to carve out a meaningful role in the process to ensure any peace deal also safeguards long-term continental security, not just achieves a quick ceasefire.
"We can't manage without Americans, we can't manage without Europe and that is why we need to make some important decisions," Zelensky said, underscoring his country's precarious position.
A Challenging Path Ahead
The diplomatic push continues as fighting rages. Between Sunday and Monday, Russian attacks killed 10 people and injured 47 across nine Ukrainian regions. In Moscow, the Kremlin has shown little willingness to compromise on core demands, including permanently blocking Ukraine's path to NATO membership.
President Trump added to the pressure, stating he was "a little disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal," while asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "fine with it."
As European leaders walk a diplomatic tightrope, their unified message from London is clear: support for Ukraine must not waver at this pivotal juncture, but the path to a secure and just peace remains fraught with difficulty.
*Source: BBC News.*
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