European Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine

(MENAFN) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron to London on Monday, where the leaders stressed the necessity of strong security assurances to achieve a just and enduring peace in Ukraine.

At the high-level gathering, they examined the ongoing US-led peace negotiations and emphasized the significance of sustained diplomatic initiatives to ensure European security, according to a statement.

The leaders directed their national security advisers to continue close coordination in the coming days to bolster Ukraine’s defense framework.

"The leaders underscored the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which includes robust security guarantees," the statement noted, further asserting that European nations must enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend itself against "relentless attacks."

Macron stated on the US social media company X’s platform that Ukraine can rely on European backing for a "just and lasting" peace, while highlighting the imposition of new European and US sanctions on Russia.

Following the Downing Street meeting, European leaders and Zelenskyy held a call to review the latest developments, agreeing that the current moment is pivotal to step up support for Ukraine and sustain economic pressure on Russia.

During the video conference, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "highlighted the importance of the unity of views between European partners and the US for a just and lasting peace to be reached in Ukraine," according to a statement, adding that Zelenskyy will visit Rome on Tuesday to meet with Meloni.

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