European leaders say that international efforts to end Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine have reached a “critical moment”, vowing stronger military, political, and economic support for Kyiv. The remarks came after a high-level meeting in London where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged with key European partners amid growing tensions surrounding a new US-backed peace framework.

Europe Rallies Behind Zelenskyy as New Peace Proposals Take Shape

After talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and its allies were preparing to present Washington with Kyiv’s version of a 20-point peace proposal on Tuesday.

This comes as both Russia and Ukraine evaluate the 28-point plan unveiled last month by US President Donald Trump—an initiative aimed at quickly ending the conflict but one that has sparked widespread debate and criticism.

Downing Street said European leaders agreed to intensify support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling Russia’s invasion “barbaric” and warning that peace efforts could falter without unified action.

Zelenskyy Signals Openness to Dialogue but Rejects Territorial Concessions

Speaking to reporters in London, Zelenskyy said the United States appeared “in principle” open to compromise, but he acknowledged that territorial issues remain unresolved.

“Of course, there are difficult questions related to territory, and a compromise has not been found,” Zelenskyy said.

The London meeting marked the start of a major diplomatic push for Zelenskyy, who has faced rising criticism from President Trump, including accusations that Zelenskyy had not read the US-backed proposals.

Immediately after the London summit, leaders from Finland, Italy, Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Turkiye joined by video call to affirm their support for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy then traveled to Brussels for discussions with EU and NATO leaders before heading to Italy to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscoring the fast-paced diplomatic effort coordinated across Europe.

Russia Welcomes Aspects of New US Security Strategy

While Ukraine’s allies stress the need for unity, Moscow has reacted positively to elements of the new US national security strategy, which signals skepticism about NATO expansion and encourages stable US–Russia relations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that key portions of the document “correspond in many ways to our vision,” particularly its call to end the idea of NATO as an “ever-expanding alliance.”

This marks a rare moment of strategic alignment between Washington and Moscow, even as fierce fighting continues across Ukraine.

Deadly Russian Attacks Continue Across Ukraine

Despite diplomatic maneuvers, Russia has intensified its military campaign:

• At least four civilians were killed in the Donetsk region.
• Five more civilians were killed in separate attacks on the Kharkiv region.
• Russian forces struck a residential district in Zaporizhzhia, causing major damage to apartment buildings, vehicles, and civilian facilities.

Russia’s Defense Ministry also claimed new battlefield gains, saying its troops had captured the villages of Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia) and Chervone (Donetsk).

Independent military tracking site DeepState reported additional Russian advances near the contested town of Pokrovsk. According to the platform, Russian forces seized several settlements—including Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Hnativka, Rih, and Novopavlivka—and made progress around Siversk and Myrnohrad.

Europe Steps Up as the Future of Peace Efforts Remains Uncertain

With Russia escalating attacks and Washington reevaluating its foreign policy direction, Ukraine’s allies say this moment could determine the future trajectory of the war.

Across multiple capitals, leaders stressed that unity is essential as peace negotiations take shape and as Zelenskyy prepares to present Ukraine’s own peace roadmap to the United States.

The coming days, they warned, will be pivotal—not only for Ukraine’s defense but for the future of European security.