Keir Starmer hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to establish a strategic roadmap for ending the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Path to Peace
Downing Street confirmed that the meeting aimed to reaffirm unwavering support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and establish conditions for a just and lasting peace. The leaders emphasized that negotiations must be based on the current frontline.
The first condition demands an immediate and complete ceasefire. Officials stated that borders cannot be altered by force and that Ukraine’s sovereign right to choose its security alliances must be respected.
Security Guarantees and Financial Accountability
European leaders are demanding that a ceasefire be followed by robust, legally binding security guarantees, potentially including the deployment of international peacekeeping forces. Furthermore, Russian assets must remain frozen until Moscow compensates Ukraine for war-related damages.
A final condition requires that all peace negotiation elements concerning the EU and NATO remain subject to consultation with those organizations to safeguard European security interests.
Diplomatic Coordination and Military Support
Starmer, Merz, and Macron supported President Zelenskyy’s open letter to Vladimir Putin calling for an end to the war. The leaders condemned Moscow’s intensified missile and drone attacks and stressed the necessity of increasing arms production for the Ukrainian military.
President Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia is not winning on the battlefield and noted that Ukraine’s defensive strikes are limiting Moscow’s expansion capabilities. He emphasized the need for stronger protection against Russian ballistic threats.
Zelenskyy praised the coordination between Britain, France, and Germany, stating that the teams are working on next steps to ensure Europe’s voice remains strong in future diplomatic processes.
