UK, France, Germany back Zelenskyy's call for Putin meeting | Euractiv

The Ukrainian leader met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street for talks on Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the backing of the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in calling for direct ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a joint statement issued following defence talks in London on Sunday.

Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street for talks as Russia’s war has stretched into its fifth year.

The leaders “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 said in a joint statement with Zelenskyy.

“The current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations,” it said. “International borders must not be changed by force.”