European Allies Push Back on Peace Plan Ahead of London Summit

KYIV — Against a backdrop of intensified Russian air attacks—including a “massive” combined strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk early Sunday—key European leaders are preparing for high-stakes talks in London on Monday to discuss a unified path to peace and post-war security for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are scheduled to meet in person. The summit comes as Europe continues to push back against early versions of the US-led peace plan, which they believe does not offer sufficient long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.

Europe is prioritizing proposals aimed at deterring future Russian aggression. Sir Keir Starmer has championed the idea of a “coalition of the willing,” described as a loose collection of Ukrainian allies committed to underwriting Kyiv’s defense in the event of a ceasefire. Starmer has called this proposal “vital” for Ukraine’s long-term security, essentially creating a robust deterrence mechanism outside of immediate NATO membership.

Other European proposals include comprehensive security guarantees and the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping force—an idea Russian President Vladimir Putin has flatly rejected, stating any troops deployed to Ukraine would be “legitimate targets.”

The London summit follows three days of US-Ukrainian negotiations in Florida, which Zelenskyy called “constructive,” even as he acknowledged the critical need to ensure “Russia stuck to any potential deal.”

The tension between diplomacy and military aggression was immediate. Hours after Zelenskyy’s phone call with the US team, Kremenchuk was struck in a massive attack that cut off water, electricity, and heat for some residents.

French President Macron offered his “full solidarity” to Ukraine via social media, stating that France is determined to work with partners to “secure de-escalation measures and to impose a ceasefire.”

The coordinated European approach aims to build consensus on a final peace proposal that addresses the critical issues of security, territorial integrity, and long-term deterrence, which they argue were lacking in the initial US-drafted plans.