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European leaders have affirmed that “intensive work” will proceed in the coming days regarding a US-led initiative aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, following a joint telephone conversation with President Donald Trump.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that they “agreed that this was a critical moment – for Ukraine, its people and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region”.
President Trump later acknowledged that “we discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words,” conceding that there were “some little disputes about people.”
The joint call transpired a day after Trump labeled European leaders “weak” and hinted at a potential reduction in US support for Ukraine.
In a wide-ranging interview with Politico published on Tuesday, Trump also asserted that Ukraine was “using war” as a pretext to avoid holding elections, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to respond that he was “ready” for them.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Moscow currently controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The three European leaders released identical statements shortly after their conversation with President Trump on Wednesday.
They stated: “The leaders discussed the latest on the ongoing US-led peace talks, welcoming their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and to see an end to the killing.
“Intensive work on the peace plan is continuing and will continue in the coming days.”
The call lasted approximately 45 minutes and was initiated by the US side.
Sources characterize the progress as “inching towards a deal” while emphasizing the complexities involved in reaching an agreement.
A significant point of contention remains the status of Ukrainian territory and the feasibility of Kyiv relinquishing land it considers its own.
The British government’s longstanding position is that decisions concerning Ukraine must be made by Ukraine itself.
European governments are conveying this argument to Washington while simultaneously praising President Trump’s commitment to ending the war, both publicly and privately.
National Security Advisors from various European nations, including the UK’s Jonathan Powell, are regularly meeting with Ukrainian officials. Summaries of these discussions and others are then shared with Washington by allied nations.
It is anticipated that, should a potential deal be reached, the US would lead discussions with Moscow.
During a White House briefing later on Wednesday, President Trump acknowledged that “strong words” were exchanged during the phone call.
He stated that he had not yet decided whether to agree to European proposals for further meetings this weekend involving Washington and Kyiv.
“We don’t want to be wasting time,” the US president stated.
He also urged President Zelensky to be “realistic,” stating that Ukrainians “want a settlement… they wanna see it [the war] end”.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Zelensky announced on social media that a 20-point document outlining a path to end the war would be presented to the US in “the near future” following “our joint work with President Trump’s team and partners in Europe.”
The Ukrainian leader did not provide further details.
The original US draft peace plan, widely leaked to the media last month, contained 28 points and was perceived as favoring Russia. Ukraine has since held separate talks with US and European negotiators, seeking to modify key clauses, particularly regarding territorial issues and security guarantees.
President Zelensky is facing increasing pressure from President Trump to agree to a peace deal to end the war, with the US president urging Kyiv to “play ball” by ceding territory to Moscow.
President Zelensky has repeatedly refused to do so, advocating for an immediate ceasefire along the extensive front line and robust security guarantees for Kyiv in any future settlement.
The Ukrainian leader is currently on a diplomatic tour of Europe following intensive talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators over the weekend that failed to produce an agreement acceptable to Kyiv.
President Zelensky has been urging his European allies to help deter the US from supporting an agreement that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks by Russia.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated that President Trump’s “very important” statements on Ukraine, including his assertion that Moscow would win the war and that Kyiv would need to cede territory, align with Russia’s perspective.
“In many ways, on the subject of Nato membership, on the subject of territories, on the subjects of how Ukraine is losing land, it is in tune with our understanding,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Last week, President Putin reiterated his warning that Ukrainian troops must completely withdraw from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
In recent weeks, Russian troops have continued their slow advance in south-eastern Ukraine, despite reported heavy combat casualties.
Lance Corporal George Hooley is remembered by colleagues as a “born soldier” after the Ministry of Defence said the 28-year-old died in a “tragic accident”.
He died in an accident away from Ukraine’s front lines on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence says.
Belveder has now sent 61 ambulances of aid and gifts over to Ukraine.
Seoul says it will “actively respond” to neighbouring countries’ activities in its air defence zone.
In the event of a war, one expert suggests the British Army could be incapable of fighting effectively on land within weeks, once committed – though ‘much depends on the form of the conflict’.
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