Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The diplomacy has been put into hyperdrive.
A high-profile meeting in London brought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together with several of Europe’s top leaders, who sought to reassure Ukraine of their backing while signalling concerns over elements of Washington’s latest peace proposal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz to Downing Street on Monday.
According to Euractiv, the conversation unfolded just hours after US President Donald Trump accused Zelenskyy of not reviewing the proposed settlement designed to wind down nearly four years of war.
Euractiv cites Zelenskyy for telling reporters after the meeting that questions over Ukraine’s borders remained the biggest obstacle in negotiations.
“Russia is insisting that we give up territories, but we don’t want to cede anything,” he said, stressing that Kyiv had “no legal or moral right” to surrender land.
Security questions
Alongside territorial concerns, Zelenskyy said the unresolved issue of Western security guarantees loomed over the talks.
“The key is to know what our partners will be ready to do in the event of new aggression by Russia. At the moment, we have not received any answer to this question,” he said according to Euractiv.
Macron wrote on X that European capitals were preparing “robust security guarantees and measures for Ukraine’s reconstruction”, adding that a shared approach with Washington was essential.
Merz signalled his own hesitation, saying he was “sceptical about some of the details which we are seeing in the documents coming from the US side”.
Starmer, meanwhile, emphasised that London would not pressure Kyiv into accepting a proposal perceived as favouring Moscow.
“The most important thing is to ensure that if there is a cessation of hostilities, and I hope there is, it has to be just and it has to be lasting,” he said according to Euractiv.
Tense exchanges
The fate of frozen Russian assets also surfaced, after Moscow’s ambassador in Berlin warned of “far-reaching consequences” if the EU channels them to Ukraine.
This followed a week in which US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin, prompting Trump to say he was “a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal”.
Macron again criticised what he described as Russia’s “escalatory path”, insisting pressure on Moscow must continue.
Washington’s early blueprint would see Kyiv relinquish territory still under Ukrainian control in exchange for limited security assurances.
The United States’ fluctuating stance has added further ambiguity; while Trump has rebuked Zelenskyy for insufficient gratitude, he has also imposed sanctions on Russian oil firms amid frustration over stalled diplomacy.
Sources: Euractiv, X, Reuters, SkyNews, BBC
