European leaders back Zelensky's call for direct Russia talks
Key takeaways
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won support from the leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Sunday for direct ceasefire talks with Russia, as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.
- By: FRANCE 24 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street ahead of a meeting that includes the leaders of France and Germany on June 7, 2026.
- Zelensky 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.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won support from the leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Sunday for direct ceasefire talks with Russia, as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. The appeal came as Russian strikes reportedly damaged a nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
By: FRANCE 24 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street ahead of a meeting that includes the leaders of France and Germany on June 7, 2026. © Henry Nicholls, AFP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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.
Zelensky 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.