On June 7, the leaders of Britain, Germany and France backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's call for direct talks with Vladimir Putin to pursue a ceasefire, saying Europe and the U.S. should play an active role. Zelenskiy met the E3 in London and requested more missiles for air-defence amid recent heavy Russian raids. The leaders set out conditions for a "just and lasting peace": an immediate ceasefire, talks from the current line of contact, legally binding security guarantees including a multinational force, and immobilisation of Russian assets until compensation is paid. Moscow has so far rejected the overture as insincere.
Britain, Germany and France Back Zelenskiy's Call for Direct Talks With Putin to Seek Ceasefire
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet at 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, June 7, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
LONDON/KYIV — June 7 — The leaders of Britain, Germany and France publicly backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's proposal for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at securing a ceasefire, saying Europe should play an active role in any diplomatic process.
In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelenskiy's appeal for negotiations and endorsed his call for direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow with active participation from the United States and European partners. The three leaders, who form the informal E3 security grouping and are among Ukraine's main international supporters, met Zelenskiy at Downing Street on Sunday.
"Leaders commended President Zelenskiy's call for an end to the war, negotiated by diplomatic means, as set out in his letter to the president," the statement said.
Zelenskiy told Prime Minister Starmer that Ukraine urgently needs more missiles for its air-defence systems, according to a post on X. His visit followed days of large Russian air raids — among the heaviest since the war began in 2022 — including strikes on Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, June 7, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Proposed Conditions for a Lasting Peace
The four leaders outlined the framework they say would be necessary for a "just and lasting peace":
- An immediate and complete ceasefire as the opening requirement;
- Talks to begin from the current line of contact;
- Legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, including the possible deployment of a multinational force;
- Immobilisation of Russian assets until Moscow compensates Ukraine for war-related damage;
- Safeguarding of wider European security interests throughout any negotiations.
Zelenskiy said the leaders discussed ways to reinvigorate diplomacy and Europe's role in that effort, stressing that a strong European voice in negotiations has always been a priority for Kyiv. Starmer reiterated Britain's long-term support, posting on X that "Our support for Ukraine is ironclad. Ukraine's security is Europe's security."
Moscow's Response And Diplomatic Challenges
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Zelenskiy's offer as insincere and said he saw no point in meeting at present, while insisting any settlement would need to be durable. Putin also suggested that proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump could end the fighting if Kyiv were prepared to make compromises.
The European leaders' endorsement signals a willingness by major Western powers to help facilitate talks, but substantial gaps remain between Kyiv's conditions and Moscow's current stance. The proposals seek to balance immediate humanitarian relief through a ceasefire with longer-term security measures and reparations, setting out a complex diplomatic roadmap that will face major political and practical hurdles.
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