The leaders of Britain, France and Germany met in London with President Volodymyr Zelensky and pledged to boost production of missile interceptors and co‑develop anti‑ballistic and deep‑strike capabilities for Ukraine. The meeting followed an Oreshnik hypersonic missile strike and coincided with a Russian drone damaging a nuclear fuel storage centre near Chornobyl. The E3 set out five conditions for a lasting peace, urged an immediate cease‑fire and confirmed frozen Russian assets and security guarantees would be central to any deal.
Britain, France and Germany Pledge to Scale Up Air Defences and Deep‑Strike Support for Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron stand on the steps of No.10 Downing Street in London on Sunday. The four met to discuss peace in Ukraine. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
Leaders of Britain, France and Germany met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London on June 7 and pledged to strengthen Kyiv’s air defences and co‑develop long‑range strike capabilities to bolster Ukraine’s defence against Russian attacks.
Key Commitments
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — the so‑called "E3" — said they would accelerate production of missile interceptors and collaborate on anti‑ballistic missile systems and "deep‑strike" capabilities to enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its territory and strike critical targets if needed.
Context and Condemnations
The meeting came two weeks after Russia used a hypersonic Oreshnik missile against Ukraine and on the same day reports emerged that a Russian drone strike damaged a nuclear fuel storage centre about 9 miles from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The E3 condemned Russia's "large‑scale missile and drone attacks," including repeated Oreshnik strikes, and warned against dangerous drone incursions into NATO territory.
Cooperation and Learning
The leaders welcomed recent Ukrainian battlefield successes, including the liberation of territory and innovative use of advanced drones. They said allies could learn from Ukraine’s experience with long‑range drone operations to improve their own defensive and offensive capabilities.
Conditions for a Just and Lasting Peace
In a joint statement, the E3 outlined five conditions for a sustainable peace: an immediate and complete cease‑fire, use of the current line of contact in eastern Ukraine as a starting point for negotiations, robust and legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, continued freezing of seized Russian assets, and safeguarding European security interests including those of the EU and NATO.
“All efforts should be conducted in closest cooperation with Ukraine, wider European partners, and the U.S.,” the leaders said, reaffirming support for Kyiv and endorsing Ukraine’s call for direct, face‑to‑face negotiations with Russia.
The E3 also reiterated political backing for an open letter Zelensky sent to President Vladimir Putin urging direct engagement to end the war, and stressed that other international actors could join a bilateral track once it is under way.
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