UK, French, German leaders discuss Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy-Trump meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has held telephone talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed.

In a statement, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and stressed the importance of continuing negotiations to achieve progress in the coming days, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

During the call, Starmer described the situation as a “decisive moment” for Ukraine and for security across the Euro-Atlantic region.

The discussions come ahead of a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Sunday, 28 December, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, who cited a Ukrainian official.

It was reported that prior to meeting Trump, Zelenskyy held talks with NATO officials and leaders from Canada, Germany, Finland, Denmark and Estonia to coordinate positions. European leaders are not expected to participate in the upcoming US-Ukraine summit.

Trump has previously emphasised that any peace proposal from Zelenskyy would be meaningless without US approval.

Meanwhile, European officials have expressed concerns over the unpredictability of Trump’s approach ahead of the meeting.

Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet in Florida on December 28, signalling potential progress in U.S.-backed efforts to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy first announced the meeting on December 26, saying it would take place in the "near future." In a WhatsApp chat with Ukrainian journalists, he later confirmed the meeting would occur Sunday.

By Aghakazim Guliyev