Zelenskyy and three European leaders to discuss how to force Putin to negotiating table
French President Emmanuel Macron said that in the coming days, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bloomberg reports.
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany are preparing talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to sources familiar with the preparations, the meeting could take place on Sunday evening in the United Kingdom.
At the same time, interlocutors note that the Ukrainian President’s schedule may still change, so the timing of the talks is not final.
Europe intensifies diplomatic efforts
The upcoming meeting will be part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. French President Emmanuel Macron previously announced plans to hold talks with Zelenskyy.
"We have always been in favor of direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Kremlin. It is the Europeans who can help," he said while speaking at the EU–Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro.
New initiative following Zelenskyy’s appeal
The intensification of diplomatic contacts came after Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed restarting the negotiation process with Vladimir Putin by sending an open letter to the Russian leader.
In London, Paris and Berlin, officials believe there is an opportunity to push Moscow toward more active engagement in dialogue amid successful Ukrainian drone operations targeting sites inside Russia.
EU is ready to discuss its own role
Another factor is the slowdown in the negotiation process, which had previously been mediated by the United States.
President Donald Trump’s attention has recently been focused on Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
"In the EU, somebody has to take a lead, Mr. Trump doesn’t have the time. He’s too busy with Hormuz, and Europe has to take the role to end the war," Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told Bloomberg News.
At the same time, there is no unified position within the European Union on a more active role for the bloc in new peace initiatives. According to sources, the Baltic states urged their partners to proceed with caution, while several other countries called for further discussion of possible steps.
Disagreements have also emerged over the idea of appointing a special EU envoy for contacts with Vladimir Putin. Some countries supported the proposal, while others warned of potential risks.
"It’s a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them. They are already picking who is suitable, who is not — let’s not walk into that trap," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at a meeting.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a visit by US President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow is not planned in the near future. According to him, such trips are not currently on the schedule.
