European Leaders to Hold Emergency Talks with Zelenskiy on U.S.-Led Peace Push

The summit, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to coordinate support for Ukraine and reinforce pressure on Russia to engage in meaningful peace talks.

Macron revealed the meeting on Saturday through a public statement, in which he condemned the recent Russian strikes on energy and rail infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia is “locking itself into an escalatory path” and urged continued pressure on Moscow to pursue a peaceful resolution. The French president, alongside Zelenskiy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will evaluate the current military and diplomatic situation, including the status of U.S. mediation efforts.

The U.S. has signaled some progress in negotiations, having reportedly reached a "framework of security arrangements" with Kyiv. However, a definitive agreement remains elusive, and no major breakthrough has been announced. The framework is said to include discussions on the types of deterrence capabilities required to ensure a lasting peace with Russia. These talks underscore the complexity of the ongoing conflict and the need for a multilateral approach to peace negotiations.

Simultaneously, Russia’s military launched a major attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, involving 653 drones and 51 missiles. The assault caused power outages in multiple regions, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. In response, Ukrainian forces struck a Rosneft PJSC oil-processing facility in the Russian region of Ryazan, highlighting the intensifying cycle of retaliation.

Macron reiterated France’s commitment to supporting Ukraine through the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of nations backing Kyiv’s defense and security needs. He stated that security guarantees are essential for any peace deal to be robust and lasting. Given the stakes, he stressed that the situation in Ukraine is not isolated but has broader implications for European security as a whole.

The meeting in London is expected to reinforce a unified front among Western allies while addressing the need for greater U.S. leadership in facilitating a resolution. The presence of key European leaders signals the importance of the summit and the urgency of the situation, as the war continues to strain both military and diplomatic efforts on multiple fronts.

The outcome of the meeting will likely influence the trajectory of future negotiations, with continued emphasis on security, deterrence, and the necessity of sustained pressure on Russia to de-escalate hostilities.