Zelensky to Engage with UK Leaders in Strategic Ukraine Discussions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to engage with prominent European officials in London on Monday, as allies of Ukraine strategize their approach in response to ongoing American suggestions for Kyiv to consider concessions during peace negotiations.

Zelensky will be joined by the leaders of France and Germany, alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street, as they aim to ensure that any potential agreement will effectively prevent future aggression from Russia.

This high-profile meeting comes on the heels of three days of discussions in Florida, where Zelensky’s chief negotiator advocated for modifications to a White House proposal that is perceived as largely accommodating Kremlin interests.

While both the United States and Ukraine have reported some progress, US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment on Sunday, indicating that Zelensky had not yet reviewed the draft proposal.

Trump remarked, “I am a bit let down that President Zelensky hasn’t had a chance to look over the proposal, at least as of a few hours ago.”

He further stated, “His team is fond of it… Russia might prefer to take the entire country in the grand scheme of things, though I believe they are content with the arrangement – but I’m uncertain if Zelensky shares that sentiment.”

Trump’s comments seemed to address the latest version of the peace agreement, which was modified in Miami after discussions led by Zelensky’s newly appointed chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, along with Trump’s close advisors, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Simultaneously, Zelensky indicated that he expected to be briefed on the ongoing negotiations by Umerov, either in London or Brussels, emphasizing that certain matters are best handled face-to-face rather than over the phone.

Zelensky characterized his conversations with Witkoff and Kushner as being “constructive, albeit challenging.”

Key Participants and Focus of the Meeting

The discussions scheduled for Monday will include Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who represent NATO’s three largest military spenders, excluding the United States.

According to Downing Street, the primary focus of the gathering will be on the ongoing peace talks and the subsequent steps, while UK cabinet member Pat McFadden highlighted the need to explore methods that would empower Ukraine to “determine its own future.”

He emphasized the importance of establishing substantial security guarantees in the event of a peace accord, warning against the creation of a “toothless organization.”

The UK and France have spearheaded initiatives to form a so-called coalition of the willing, also known as the Multinational Force Ukraine, in order to provide future defensive support, including a potential reassurance force within the country.

While the specific roles of this force remain unclear, diplomatic sources have indicated it will not serve to enforce a ceasefire and will differ from a peacekeeping mission by not being deemed impartial.

European Defense Commitments and Ongoing Challenges

Germany and other European defense contributors, including Italy and Poland, have made commitments to various forms of military assistance but have expressed reservations regarding the prospect of deploying troops on Ukrainian soil, a move the Kremlin has warned would constitute an escalation.

The White House has been urging both Kyiv and Moscow to promptly agree to a multi-point framework aimed at concluding the conflict.

However, signs of a significant breakthrough remain elusive, even after Witkoff’s five-hour in-person dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week.

Alongside security guarantees, discussions are particularly tense concerning territorial concessions.

The United States has suggested that Ukraine withdraw its military from eastern regions that Russia has attempted to seize, albeit without full success, in exchange for Russian troop withdrawals in other areas and a halt to hostilities.

On Sunday, Trump’s departing special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, highlighted that negotiations surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are particularly complex.

This facility, the largest in Europe and currently under Russian control, has experienced intense clashes in its vicinity. A leaked initial draft of the US-supported peace plan proposed a future division of its energy output between Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg stated during an event in California, “A deal is within reach, but discussions on these issues are ongoing. If we can resolve those two matters, I believe the remainder will fall into place quite smoothly.”

European Allies and Concerns Over US-Led Peace Efforts

The upcoming London discussions mark the latest effort by Ukraine’s European allies to define their role within the US-led initiatives aimed at concluding the conflict, as they fear that a hasty resolution may undermine their long-term interests.

European leaders have voiced their opposition to earlier drafts of the US-led peace proposal, which has been amended following critiques that it disproportionately favored Russian interests.

Despite facing considerable economic strain and military setbacks, the Kremlin has shown little willingness to concede on core demands, including dismissing any potential path for Ukraine to join the NATO alliance.

Last week, Putin reiterated his intention to persist in combat until Russian forces achieve complete control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, areas where they currently hold approximately 85% of the territory.

In a broader context, the Kremlin has responded positively to the White House’s revised National Security Strategy, which outlines the administration’s foreign policy stance.

This document advocates for prioritizing the enhancement of relations between Europe and Russia to “mitigate the risk” of a broader conflict and critiques the continent’s policies regarding the economy, migration, and liberty, which the White House asserts has led to a state of “civilizational erasure” in Europe.

The Kremlin remarked that the strategy is “largely in line” with its own vision and represents a “constructive step” forward.