Ukraine received strong support from its allies in the midst of intense pressure from former US President Donald Trump to reach a peace agreement. President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in emergency discussions in London with Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Friedrich Merz following unsuccessful negotiations between US and Ukrainian representatives. Concerns have arisen that there might be a compromised deal with Russia due to President Trump’s impatience with the slow progress of peace talks.
European leaders emphasized the necessity for “strong security assurances” in any peace settlement and emphasized the need for Europe to back Ukraine against Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions. They also reviewed advancements towards releasing billions of euros of frozen Russian assets held by European nations post the illegal Russian invasion.
British officials anticipate a potential release of funds to aid Ukraine in the upcoming days, although the extent of unlocking the nearly €200 billion held by European countries remains uncertain. Ukraine and its supporters are anxious about the possibility of a detrimental deal imposed by Mr. Trump after a 28-point plan favoring Moscow was drafted by the US. Despite efforts to revise the plan during three days of talks in Miami, no breakthrough was achieved.
Over the weekend, Donald Trump Jr., not part of his father’s administration, hinted that President Trump might withdraw from peace negotiations. President Trump criticized President Zelensky, alleging his failure to review the latest US-brokered plan. The new US national security strategy pointed fingers at European officials for obstructing a deal, a move welcomed by the Kremlin.
President Zelensky stressed the indispensable need for European and American support, emphasizing the critical decisions that must be made to foster unity. French President Macron indirectly criticized President Trump’s stance by stating that Ukraine’s allies possess significant leverage, contrasting President Trump’s previous remarks to President Zelensky.
Amid escalating tensions, UK’s Prime Minister reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine and the pursuit of a just and enduring ceasefire. The leaders tasked their national security advisors to continue discussions in the following days to pursue a peaceful resolution for Ukraine, backed by robust security guarantees. Additionally, they highlighted the progress made in utilizing immobilized Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. European allies committed to escalating support for Ukraine and enhancing economic pressure on Putin to end the ongoing conflict.