European leaders have called for stronger economic sanctions on Russia to force an end to the “barbaric” war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky met with Sir Keir Starmer and their French and German counterparts, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, at Downing Street on Monday.
The meeting came amid suggestions that the US may try to force Kyiv to give up land to Russia as part of a peace settlement - a proposal previously rejected by Ukraine and its European allies.
Instead, the leaders called for security guarantees for Ukraine, increased economic pressure on Vladimir Putin’s regime and the use of frozen Russian assets to help rebuild the war-torn country.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, to Downing Street today.
“The leaders discussed the importance of the US-led peace talks for European security and supported the progress made. They instructed their National Security Advisors to continue discussions over the coming days. The leaders underscored the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which includes robust security guarantees.
“The leaders agreed that, while diplomatic efforts continue, Europe must stand with Ukraine, strengthening its ability to defend against relentless attacks that have left thousands without heat or light. They also discussed positive progress made to use immobilised Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
“Following the meeting with the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine, the Prime Minister convened a call with other European allies alongside President Zelenskyy to update them on the latest situation. The leaders all agreed that now is a critical moment and that we must continue to ramp up support to Ukraine and economic pressure on Putin to bring an end to this barbaric war.
“They agreed to keep in touch.”
Earlier, Donald Trump took another swipe at President Zelensky as Ukraine said it was seeking a “dignified end” to the war.
The US president said he was “disappointed” that Mr Zelensky had reportedly not even read his latest peace plan and that Vladimir Putin was “fine” with it.
Trump has previously accused Mr Zelensky of starting the conflict even though Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps branded Trump’s stance as “ignorant” but stressed Europe had itself to blame for relying too heavily on America for its defence.
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, Mr Zelensky told of how there remained a split between Kyiv and Washington over Trump’s proposals to give swathes of eastern Ukraine to Putin.
"There are visions of the US, Russia and Ukraine — and we don't have a unified view on Donbas," Mr Zelensky told Bloomberg News early Monday.
"Very good to see you here on nearly the fourth anniversary of this awful conflict, at a critical stage now in the push for peace," Sir Keir said after welcoming the leaders to Downing Street.
"We stand with Ukraine and if there was to be a ceasefire, it has to be a just and lasting ceasefire.”
Sir Keir has stressed that Putin, who he branded the “aggressor”, is the blockade to ending the war.
Ahead of the talks, Mr Zelensky's new chief negotiator Rustem Umerov gave a brief insight into weekend talks with US officials in Florida.
"The primary task of the Ukrainian team was to obtain from the American side complete information about their conversation in Moscow and all drafts of current proposals in order to discuss them in detail with the President of Ukraine," Mr Umerov wrote on X.
He expressed thanks for "constructive work" by the US, adding: "Together with all partners, we must do everything possible for a dignified end to this war."
At the meeting in Miami, Mr Umerov reportedly urged Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to make more changes to the US peace plan, with the original blueprint having been heavily criticised by European leaders as siding with Putin.
Mr Witkoff held five hours of talks with the Russian president in Moscow last week.
But there was no sign of any breakthrough on a peace deal, with Putin swiftly dashing hopes of a compromise deal and warning Europe that Russia was ready for war.
Britain dismissed the Russian president’s rhetoric as “sabre rattling”.
Monday’s meeting in London also comes in the wake of the publication of a new US national security strategy that made improving relations with Moscow one of Washington’s top priorities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the document, saying it was broadly in line with Moscow’s own vision.
Over the weekend, Mr Zelensky said he had discussed “next steps” with Trump’s advisers and was “determined to keep working in good faith”.
But the negotiators also acknowledged that any “real progress” will depend “on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace”.
Ukraine and its European allies are likely to insist that any ceasefire comes with security guarantees from both the US and the “coalition of the willing” convened by the UK and France, while also objecting to any transfer of territory to Russia.
But Russia has repeatedly rejected the prospect of allied troops being stationed in Ukraine and continues to demand swathes of territory in eastern Ukraine in exchange for peace.
Russian forces are continuing their assault on Ukraine, gradually seizing more territory while inflicting more civilian casualties with attacks on residential areas.
At least seven people were injured when Russian drones struck an apartment block in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Okhtyrka in the Sumy region, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said on Monday.
At least four people were killed in drone and missile strikes on Sunday, while Moscow continues to target Ukrainian infrastructure in a bid to “weaponise” the cold by denying civilians access to heat and power.
