President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is scheduled to meet with key European leaders in London on Monday. The discussions will involve Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the UK, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Meeting Objectives
The high-level meeting at No 10 Downing Street will focus on ongoing peace negotiations concerning Ukraine and explore subsequent steps. A primary aim is to establish a framework that would deter any future Russian aggression, should a peace agreement be reached. UK cabinet minister Pat McFadden stated the talks would ensure Ukraine's ability to determine its own future and emphasized the need for substantial security guarantees.
Context of Negotiations
The London talks follow three days of discussions in Florida, where Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, engaged in discussions regarding a White House peace plan. US President Donald Trump commented on Sunday, stating he was "disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal," which had been revised in Miami. Trump indicated that while he believed Russia was "fine with it," he was unsure of Zelensky's position.
Zelensky responded on Sunday, stating he expected a briefing from Umerov in London or Brussels regarding the negotiations, adding that "some issues can only be discussed in person." He described prior discussions with Trump's aides, special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, as "constructive, though not easy." Witkoff also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week.
European Defense Initiatives
The UK and France have been leading discussions to form a "coalition of the willing," also referred to as the Multinational Force Ukraine. This initiative aims to provide future defense support, potentially including a reassurance force deployed within Ukraine. Diplomatic sources have indicated this force would not function as a ceasefire policing body nor be considered impartial peacekeeping.
Germany, along with other European nations like Italy and Poland, has pledged defense assistance but has expressed reservations about deploying troops on Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin has previously stated that such a deployment would be considered an escalation.
Key Negotiation Points
Negotiations continue to address complex issues, including territorial concessions and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The US has proposed a plan that would involve Ukraine withdrawing forces from eastern regions partially occupied by Russia, in exchange for Russian withdrawals elsewhere and a cessation of hostilities.
Regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control and Europe's largest, an early draft of the US-backed peace plan suggested a future division of its energy output between Ukraine and Russia. Keith Kellogg, Trump's outgoing special envoy for Ukraine, indicated that a deal was close, but discussions on these specific elements were ongoing.