European leaders are calling for urgent action to strengthen support for Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia as negotiations over a potential peace deal continue. The warning came after President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday, reviewing a revised peace proposal developed by Ukrainian and US officials last week.
The leaders noted that while progress has been made, key security guarantees for Ukraine remain unresolved. The US has been pressing Kyiv to accept a swift settlement with Moscow, but European allies emphasized the need for a deal that does not compromise Ukraine’s long-term safety.
Zelensky, who later traveled to Brussels to meet Nato officials, said Ukraine would submit its updated plan to the US on Tuesday. He told reporters that the “most certainly anti-Ukrainian points have been removed” from the previous draft, but admitted that concerns over giving up territory persist and a compromise “has not yet been found there.”
The main challenge revolves around a US proposal requiring Ukraine to withdraw its troops from eastern regions partially held by Russia. In return, the US suggests Russia would pull back elsewhere and fighting would stop.
Zelensky has rejected the idea, arguing that conceding territory rewards Moscow’s aggression and risks future attacks from any Russian foothold.
“Americans are inclined, in principle, to finding a compromise,” Zelensky said. He also stressed that arrangements for future security remain unresolved, leaving Ukraine wary of potential risks.
A spokesperson for Starmer’s office said the leaders agreed that “now is a critical moment and that we must continue to ramp up support to Ukraine and economic pressure on Putin to bring an end to this barbaric war.”
The statement highlighted the need for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which includes robust security guarantees” and welcomed progress in the US-led talks.
Ahead of the discussions, Starmer emphasized that a peace settlement must include “hard-edged security guarantees.” Merz said he was “sceptical” about some aspects of the US plan, adding: “But we have to talk about it. That's why we are here.” France also committed to intensifying efforts to secure guarantees for Ukraine’s defense.
Kyiv and European capitals are concerned that the US may reduce its support if negotiations drag on. Zelensky said: “We can't manage without Americans, we can't manage without Europe and that is why we need to make some important decisions.”
Despite Washington’s push for a rapid agreement, there has been little sign of progress. A five-hour meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week ended without concrete outcomes.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov spent three days in Miami with US officials, resulting only in statements describing “progress” in vague terms.
Tensions rose when Trump criticized Zelensky on Sunday, saying: “I'm a little disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal,” while asserting Putin was “fine with it.” At the same time, Zelensky said he expected Umerov to brief him in London or Brussels, noting, “Some issues can only be discussed in person.”
The London talks also reflected Europe’s effort to play a stronger role in shaping a peace settlement, fearing that a rapid US-led deal might overlook the continent’s long-term interests.
Russia has shown no willingness to soften its position, insisting on full control of Donetsk and Luhansk and ruling out any future Nato membership for Ukraine. Putin has reaffirmed his commitment to continue fighting until these objectives are achieved, with Russian forces currently occupying about 85% of the regions.
The conflict continues to take a heavy toll. Between Sunday and Monday, nine regions in Ukraine were struck, leaving 10 people dead and 47 injured through drone, missile, and glide bomb attacks.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed or wounded, with Ukrainian towns and cities frequently targeted at night.
