European Powers Back Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks as Zelensky Signals Frontline Freeze
The UK, Germany and France – collectively known as the E3 – have voiced support for a direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine to secure a ceasefire, and their readiness to play a role.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is willing to freeze the battlefield lines where they currently exist for peace talks to end the war – now in its fifth year.
E3 Support for Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement on Sunday, following a meeting with Zelensky in London.
The E3 leaders reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in its war on Russia and Europe’s important role in any settlement. Furthermore, they discussed how to use upcoming high-profile events, such as G7 and NATO summits and the Coalition of the Willing meeting, to coordinate efforts to back Kyiv.
Condemning Russia’s repeated use of the Oreshnik missiles in Ukraine, the leaders highlighted the need to increase the production of interceptors and co-develop anti-ballistic missile and deep strike capabilities, in addition to strengthening long-term industrial cooperation with Ukraine to bolster Europe’s own defense.
Backing Zelensky’s Letter
The European leaders commended Zelensky’s call for ending the war through diplomatic means, as outlined in an open letter directed to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They supported the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia – with active US and European participation – to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations. They confirmed they would continue to stand firmly with Ukraine,” the statement noted.
On June 4, 2026, Zelensky published an open letter to Putin proposing a face-to-face meeting to settle the war, with the participation of Europe and the US in the process. However, Putin turned down his call, saying he sees “no point” in holding such a meeting at this stage of the war.
European Conditions for Peace
In their statement, the European leaders underscored the inseparable connection between Ukraine’s security, prosperity and sovereignty and wider Euro-Atlantic security, setting out five conditions for a just and lasting peace.
The leaders said that Russia must agree to an immediate and complete ceasefire and start negotiations based on the current line of contact. Additionally, Ukraine must have robust security guarantees, including the deployment of a multinational force.
They also noted that Russian assets will remain frozen until it compensates Ukraine for the damage caused by the war and that Europe’s security interests should be safeguarded in any agreement.
Frontline Freeze
In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky floated the possibility of freezing the battlefield lines as the fastest path to peace. Asked about his position on freezing the lines as they currently exist, the Ukrainian leader said: “Yes. It’s the quickest way.”
He added that Kyiv’s aim is to stop the war and prevent it from reigniting. “It’s not the idea just to freeze, but the quickest way is to freeze and to move it to a diplomatic setting,” Zelensky explained.
However, he said that this does not mean conceding to Russia’s demands. “No, it’s not just to give. To stay where we are means to give the people of Ukraine more possibilities to save their children, and for soldiers to come back. I think this is important for us,” he noted.
Currently, Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine: the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, most of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk – collectively referred to as the Donbas – and large parts of the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
