UK, French and German leaders to meet Zelensky on peace talks — Bloomberg

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany plan to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this weekend to discuss ways to bring Russia to the negotiating table to end the war.

Bloomberg reported this, citing anonymous sources, according to Ukrinform.

According to the sources, the meeting, which is based on new efforts to end the war, is currently scheduled for Sunday evening in the UK. Zelensky’s plans may still change, and the meeting could be rescheduled, the sources added.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that the leaders of the three countries will meet with Zelensky in the coming days.

“We have always advocated for direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Kremlin. It is the Europeans who can help,” he said, speaking at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro.

The latest diplomatic push came after Zelensky proposed new peace talks with Vladimir Putin, sending an open letter to the Russian dictator on Thursday. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany see an opportunity to bring Putin to the negotiating table as Ukraine achieves increasing success in the war thanks to drone strikes deep into Russian territory.

In addition, peace talks with Russia under U.S. auspices have reached an impasse, as President Donald Trump has focused his attention on the conflict with Iran.

“Someone in the EU has to take the initiative; Trump doesn’t have time for this. He’s too busy with the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe has to take on the role of ending the war,” Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told the publication on Friday in Tivat.

Spokespersons for the governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine did not officially comment on the possible meeting.

Efforts to get Europe to lead new peace talks have raised concerns in some countries. According to people familiar with the matter, at a recent meeting of EU ambassadors, the Baltic states stated that the bloc must proceed cautiously. Others argued for further discussion of the issue before any new efforts are launched, noting that the meeting was held behind closed doors on condition of anonymity.

Another issue dividing the EU is whether to appoint a special EU envoy to negotiate with Putin. Countries such as Austria expressed interest in this during a recent meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers. But others warned that such a position could play into Russia’s hands.

“This is a trap that Russia wants us to fall into, so that we discuss who is talking to them. They are already deciding who is suitable and who is not—let’s not fall into this trap,” said Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas at the meeting.

As reported by Ukrinform, French President Emmanuel Macron considers Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal to hold a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin a “good initiative.”

Archive photo: Telegram / Volodymyr Zelensky