Europe scrambles for influence in U.S.-led peace talks on war in Ukraine

European powers are pushing to have a bigger say in the U.S.-led peace process to ensure that Ukraine isn’t forced to accept a deal that leaves it, and the rest of Europe, vulnerable to future Russian aggression.

- Anastasiia Malenko, Max Colchester & Noemie Bisserbe

The leaders of the U.K., France and Germany met in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Downing Street residence with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, their latest effort to influence negotiations as the U.S. pushes for a swift agreement to end the war.

Territory and security guarantees for Ukraine remain the major sticking points. After the meeting, the Ukrainian leader said, “Russia is insisting we give up land, we don’t want to give anything away.” Zelensky added that he couldn’t cede land legally or morally.

“This is what we are fighting for,” Zelensky told reporters. “Americans are looking for compromise as of now, I’ll be honest.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

During the meeting, the European leaders said they supported the U.S. efforts for peace but would continue to support Ukraine while diplomatic efforts were ongoing, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the meeting was a chance to add European contributions to the U.S. peace proposal, which European leaders initially criticized as rewarding Russia for its invasion of Ukraine with land it hasn't managed to capture. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he was “skeptical” of some of the proposals coming out of the U.S.

The leaders hope their discussions will lead to joint talks between Ukraine, Europe and the U.S. "We have a lot of cards in our hands,” Macron said. A counterproposal drawn up by the Europeans and Ukrainians would be delivered to the U.S. in the coming few days, Zelensky said.