The meeting of Ukrainian, British, French and German leaders in London on Sunday demonstrates the desire of European countries to participate in negotiations to end the crisis in Ukraine, a Ukrainian political expert said in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 10 Downing Street in London on Sunday. The E3 leaders issued a joint statement with Zelensky after the meeting, saying they backed direct Ukraine-Russia talks with the active participation of the United States and Europe.
The four leaders called for an immediate and complete ceasefire, saying the current line of contact should serve as the starting point for negotiations. According to their statement, Europe should play an important role in the peace process, with relevant efforts conducted in close coordination with Ukraine, European partners and the United States.
The leaders also discussed post-ceasefire security arrangements for Ukraine, with the statement stressing that European security interests should be safeguarded in any agreement and noting that matters relating to the European Union and NATO would require the consent of respective members.
Ruslan Bortnik, a political scientist currently serving as director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, said the issuing of the statement marks the first official document where major European countries have specified their demands regarding the settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"Formally, Europe and European countries are declaring their desire to participate in the negotiation process and, in fact, are joining or, together with Ukraine, formulating their demands and starting positions for the negotiation process with the Russian Federation. For practically the first time in years of war, the position of key EU countries, in alliance with Ukraine, regarding their vision for how the war should end, is being fully formulated in document form, in the form of a specific set of demands," he said.
The London meeting also laid out the firm stance of major European countries on the Ukrainian issue and their readiness to move forward with a serious plan for talks, according to Bortnik.
"Thus, it seems to me, what is being postulated is, firstly, Europe's desire, readiness, and ambition to participate in negotiations, to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia and the United States. And secondly, this postulates Europe's tough position, a high starting negotiating position, and serious demands on Moscow," he said.
Speaking at a forum in St. Petersburg last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains prepared to pursue a negotiated settlement based on a framework discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska last August.
London meeting demonstrates European countries' desire to participate in Ukraine peace talks: expert
