Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this weekend to discuss strategies for engaging Russia in peace negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. According to sources familiar with the situation, the meeting is set for the evening of June 7 in the UK, although plans may still change.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday that the three leaders would convene with Zelensky in the coming days. However, spokespeople for the French and German governments did not respond to requests for comments, and representatives from the UK and Ukraine declined to provide additional information.
The initiative to involve Europe in renewed peace talks has raised concerns among some nations. As reported by Bloomberg, during a recent meeting of EU ambassadors, Baltic states expressed that the bloc should proceed with caution. Others advocated for further discussions before any new efforts are undertaken.
In a related development, President Zelensky announced on June 4 that Ukraine is preparing meetings with some of its most capable partners in Europe, although he did not specify when these meetings would take place.
Zelensky also released an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting the establishment of a clear date for a meeting. He indicated that other participants, including Europe and the United States, could join the bilateral discussions that have already begun.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that the letter would be formally delivered through diplomatic channels. In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that if Zelensky wishes to meet with Putin, he should come to Moscow, according to Russian state media.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the letter, expressing that it would be beneficial for Zelensky and Putin to meet.
The upcoming meeting between European leaders and Ukraine's President Zelensky aims to explore avenues for engaging Russia in peace negotiations. This initiative has sparked a mix of support and caution among EU member states as discussions on the conflict continue.