Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on Monday that he would collaborate with European allies to establish the terms of a potential peace agreement before presenting it to the United States.
This comes after a high-stakes security summit in London, where 18 allied nations pledged increased defense spending and committed to forming a coalition to uphold any ceasefire in Ukraine.
The weekend talks occurred at a critical juncture for Ukraine, which remains under immense pressure in its three-year struggle against Russia while also facing uncertainty over future US backing.
Tensions escalated further just days prior when US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Zelensky during a White House meeting, sparking fears that Washington may push Kyiv into a peace settlement favouring Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite this, European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, with Zelensky emphasizing that the summit had reinforced their commitment to securing peace.
“We need peace, not endless war,” Zelensky stated on Telegram.
He further explained that Europe would soon outline its unified stance on peace negotiations.
“In the near future, all of us in Europe will shape our common positions — the lines we must achieve and the lines we cannot compromise on,” he said. “These positions will be presented to our partners in the United States.”
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, echoed this sentiment, noting that Britain, France, and other allies would work with Ukraine on a roadmap to end the conflict before taking it to Washington.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, speaking to Le Figaro after the summit, revealed that France and the UK were considering a temporary one-month truce that would halt attacks “in the air, at sea, and on energy infrastructure.”
Both Starmer and Macron have signaled a willingness to deploy British and French troops to help maintain a ceasefire, though the extent of their involvement remains uncertain.
Macron clarified that the proposed truce would not initially extend to ground combat due to the vast and complex front line, making enforcement challenging. He suggested that peacekeeping forces could be introduced at a later stage.
“There won’t be European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks,” he stated.
He also advocated for a substantial increase in European defense spending, proposing that nations allocate between 3.0 and 3.5 percent of GDP to strengthen security in light of shifting US priorities and Russia’s growing militarization.
Trump, who has positioned himself as a mediator between Zelensky and Putin, has been criticized for sidelining both Kyiv and European allies while seeking closer ties with Moscow.
This shift was particularly evident during his recent Oval Office encounter with Zelensky, where he accused the Ukrainian leader of lacking gratitude for US military aid and of not being “ready” for peace.
Following his own meeting with Trump, Starmer maintained that the United States remained a “not an unreliable ally,” but stressed that any successful peace deal must have “strong US backing.”
During the summit, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen underscored the urgent need for the continent to bolster its defense capabilities, warning that Europe must “prepare for the worst.”
Similarly, Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, called on both Europe and the United States to make it clear to Putin that “the West has no intention of capitulating before his blackmail and aggression.”
Trump’s Controversial Position on Ukraine
Amid growing concerns about his approach to Russia, Trump downplayed fears over his relationship with Putin, arguing that Americans should be more focused on “domestic crime” rather than the Russian leader.
Within Trump’s Republican party, many officials have aligned with his narrative, with some suggesting that Zelensky should step aside to facilitate a peace settlement.
Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, reinforced this idea in an interview with CNN.
“We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war,” Waltz stated.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has hinted that he would consider stepping down if it meant securing NATO membership for Ukraine—a goal Trump has repeatedly dismissed.
“If there is NATO and the war is over, it means I fulfilled my mission,” Zelensky said Monday.
Acknowledging the necessity of maintaining strong ties with Washington, Zelensky also expressed openness to negotiating a mineral deal that Trump has shown interest in.
“I am ready to engage in any kind of constructive format in relations with the US,” he affirmed.
