Zelenskyy meets key allies in London aiming to build on strikes on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with key allies in London, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, at Downing Street on Sunday night. The high-level gathering aimed to consolidate support for Ukraine as it seeks to capitalize on recent successful strikes against Russian targets.

The meeting occurred against a backdrop of heightened hostilities and following Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of Zelenskyy's proposal for face-to-face talks. The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany, forming the "E3" group, convened to discuss ongoing support and explore security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace process. The UK and France are spearheading an initiative to provide such guarantees.

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We will respond. We will be stronger and stronger each day.

Zelenskyy conveyed Ukraine's unwavering determination, vowing, "We will respond. We will be stronger and stronger each day." He stated that discussions would focus on bolstering support for Ukraine and enhancing cooperation on air defense, emphasizing its importance for "the security of all of Europe." The Ukrainian president is also scheduled to meet with King Charles on Monday.

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for the security of all of Europe

His visit follows a series of significant Ukrainian strikes on targets within Russia, including an oil terminal and naval port in St. Petersburg. These attacks, which occurred just before the city's international economic forum, prompted Putin to reject peace negotiations, stating his war goals remained unchanged. Zelenskyy described Putin's response as "weak" and vowed that Ukraine's deep strikes would continue.

In a notable public letter to Putin, Zelenskyy criticized the Russian leader's long tenure and addressed shifting global priorities, particularly regarding US attention. "The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia," Zelenskyy wrote, underscoring Ukraine's resilience and the international community's sustained engagement. The mood in Kyiv is reportedly optimistic, with battlefield reports suggesting Russia's advance has stalled and significant personnel losses for Moscow.

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The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia.