In a show of solidarity, European nations have come together to support Ukraine, particularly following President Trump’s recent outburst at President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump claimed that Zelensky hadn’t read the peace plan proposed by the U.S. to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
During a meeting in London with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared, “We stand with Ukraine.” He emphasized the need for a ceasefire that is both “just and lasting,” reiterating that the decisions regarding Ukraine’s future should ultimately involve Ukraine itself.
This support from the U.K. leader surfaced right after Trump expressed being “a bit disappointed” in Zelensky, stating that he hadn’t paid attention to a proposal that was discussed hours prior. Trump’s remarks indicated that while he believed the plan was favorable in general, it’s unclear which specific proposal he was referring to.
On Friday, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff, engaged in discussions with Ukrainian military officials in Florida to negotiate the conclusion of the nearly four-year conflict in Eastern Europe. The meetings reportedly continued the very next day, as Ukraine reiterated its commitment to these talks.
Post-meeting in London, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would not agree to any territorial concessions as part of a potential deal. A French official, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that discussions about the U.S. peace plan would continue, with a focus on enhancing it with European input, all while keeping close coordination with Ukraine.
According to the official, the preparatory work currently in progress involves providing Ukraine with significant security guarantees and laying the groundwork for its rebuilding efforts.
It’s noteworthy that just last week, Witkoff and Kushner met with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, but the Kremlin pushed back on elements of the Trump administration’s peace proposal, describing the talks as both “constructive and substantive” yet expressing skepticism about certain aspects.
The original 28-point peace proposal received considerable criticism from some Republicans and leaders across Europe, who believe the plan disproportionately favors Russia at the expense of Ukraine’s military strength and territorial integrity.
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