Europe to Lead Ukraine Talks, Coordinating With U.S. in Push for Peace

European leaders say they will assume the lead in negotiations with Russia over Ukraine in close coordination with the United States, after a London meeting with Zelenskyy and EU partners. They issued a joint statement calling for direct Ukraine–Russia talks with active US and European participation, anchored to the current contact line and backed by five conditions: an immediate ceasefire, robust and legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, and Russian assets frozen until Moscow ends its war and pays damages. Further discussions are planned at a G7 meeting in Evian and an EU summit in Brussels, though Putin’s willingness to engage remains unclear.