Starmer, Macron and Merz rally for Ukraine peace talks after St Petersburg drone strike
London — In a rare show of European unity, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street on Sunday to restart stalled peace talks after Kyiv’s weekend drone strike on St Petersburg wounded four people, including a child. The emergency summit, held hours after the attack, underscores Europe’s determination to break the deadlock in negotiations that have remained frozen for months despite tentative signals from both Moscow and Kyiv about potential talks.
The leaders convened first among themselves before receiving Zelenskyy, with the French presidency stating the meeting aimed to “take stock of efforts toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” The timing is critical: Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far refused direct negotiations, and Ukraine’s recent cross-border strikes—including the St Petersburg attack—have raised tensions while intensifying pressure on European capitals to act.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa told ERR that Russia “neither wants peace nor is ready for it,” despite public statements suggesting otherwise. Her remarks reflect Kyiv’s frustration with stalled diplomacy, even as European leaders seek to coordinate a unified stance. The summit follows a week of escalating hostilities, including renewed Russian attacks on transport links in eastern Ukraine and warnings from Baltic states about potential Kremlin aggression.
Analysts suggest the meeting may also address Ukraine’s long-term security needs, with growing calls in Brussels to leverage Kyiv’s battlefield experience as Europe ramps up defense production. Meanwhile, Poland’s defense minister warned Kyiv against commemorating controversial historical units, signaling lingering tensions within NATO over historical memory.
The leaders’ joint push for negotiations comes as Moscow faces mounting economic strain, highlighted by the disruption of its flagship economic forum in St Petersburg, where Ukrainian drones sent a plume of smoke over the venue. With no immediate breakthrough expected, the London summit represents Europe’s latest attempt to bridge divides—both between Kyiv and Moscow and among its own members—before the war’s fourth year begins.
Starmer, Macron and Merz rally for Ukraine peace talks after St Petersburg drone strike
- le monde
- independent
- tagesspiegel
- die zeit
- irozhlas.cz
- digi24
- adevarul
- commonspace
- news.err
- france24
- lrt
- bbc
- radio free europe
- themoscowtimes
- axios
- south china morning post
- observador
- expressen
- elmundo
- faz
Articles
Zelensky vai reunir-se com Macron, Merz e Starmer Volodymyr Zelensky vai encontrar-se hoje com Macron, Merz e Starmer em Londres.
observador · about 4 hours ago
Proměna Ukrajiny z žáka na učitele evropské obrany Vývoj v posledních měsících ukazuje zásadní obrat v tom, jak Evropa přemýšlí o obraně kontinentu. Doba, kdy byla Ukrajina brána jen jako pasivní příjemce západní solidarity a vojenské pomoci, skončila. Dnes je Ukrajina vnímána jako poskytovatel evropské bezpečnosti a technologická laboratoř pro modernizaci evropských armád.
irozhlas.cz · about 4 hours ago
Bude z Volodymyra Zelenského ukrajinský Churchill? Šoumen, který proslul rolí v seriálu Služebník lidu. To je Volodymyr Zelenskyj před zahájením ruské invaze. Po více než čtyřech letech v čele napadené země se z komika stal zkušený válečný vůdce. Na podzim 2025 byla ale v jeho kruzích odhalena závažná korupční kauza. Jak se k ní prezident staví? A jaké šance na znovuzvolení teď má, až válka skončí a v zemi se budou moct konat svobodné a bezpečné volby?
irozhlas.cz · about 4 hours ago
Experten: Iran nyckel till att få fred i Ukraina Det är oklart om det förs några förhandlingar mellan USA och Iran för tillfället. Men om länderna skulle komma överens kan det vara den öppning som krävs för att Ukrainakriget ska ta sig närmre en vapenvila. – Det skulle mycket väl kunna vara så att ett avtal mellan Iran och USA kan skapa en islossning på andra håll, säger militärexperten Johan Huovinen.
expressen · about 4 hours ago
„Angela Merkel war im Gespräch – Europa lotet Vermittler für Friedensgespräche aus Die Friedensbemühungen im Ukraine-Krieg kommen weiter kaum voran. Bei einem Treffen in London beraten Bundeskanzler Merz, Frankreichs Präsident Macron, Großbritanniens Premierminister Starmer und Präsident Selenskyj über mögliche nächste diplomatische Schritte. WELT-Reporter Max Hermes berichtet.
welt.de · about 4 hours ago
Miniștrii ai Apărării din UE se întâlnesc pentru a discuta despre pericolul flotei fantomă rusești Miniştrii apărării ai Uniunii Europene se reunesc în Cipru, în zilele de 7-8 iunie 2026, pentru o reuniune informală pe tema priorităţilor din Politica de securitate şi apărare comună a UE, conform Administrației Prezidențiale din Cipru.
digi24 · about 4 hours ago
Merz, Macron și Starmer se întâlnesc cu Zelenski la Londra. Europa își coordonează poziția pentru eventuale negocieri cu Rusia Liderii Germaniei, Franței și Marii Britanii se reunesc duminică seară, la Londra, cu președintele ucrainean Volodimir Zelenski, într-un moment în care capitalele europene încearcă să își coordoneze strategia privind posibilele negocieri de pace cu Rusia.
adevarul · about 4 hours ago
Ucrania, el activo que Europa necesita para su defensa Cada vez más expertos aseguran que Bruselas debe aprovechar la experiencia de Kiev en la guerra, ya que ningún país cuenta con su desarrollo tecnológico y militar Leer
elmundo · about 4 hours ago
Opinion: The future of the China-US-Russia triangle after Pelosis visit to Taiwan Since February 24, 2022, the international communitys focus was concentrated entirely on the war in Ukraine and the growing Russia – West confrontation. It seemed that nothing could change the situation until the end of hostilities in Ukraine. However, on August 2 and 3, almost everyones attention shifted from Ukraine to Taiwan. As the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, stated her intention to visit Taiwan, up to half a million people were watching the trajectory of her plane on air flight tracking sites. The negative reaction of China, including the warning of President Xi during his conversation with President Biden that those who played with fire would be perished by it, created hype around this visit. Many were discussing the possibility of Chinese military jets closing the airspace over Taiwan and preventing Pelosis plane from landing in Taiwan, while some enthusiasts were even contemplating the possibility of a US-China direct military clash. As Pelosi landed in Taiwan and met with the Taiwanese President, the global social media was full of amateur assessments about the strategic victory of the US and the confirmation of the US global hegemony. However, as the dust settles down, and information noise and manipulation eventually decreases, a more serious assessment is needed to understand the real consequences of this visit.
commonspace · about 4 hours ago
Ukraines deputy foreign minister: Russia neither wants peace nor is ready for it Despite signals from both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents that an end to hostilities may be possible in the near future, the war continues and peace talks have stalled. In an interview with ERR, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa discusses Ukraines current hopes, priorities and objectives.
news.err · about 4 hours ago
Why Zelenskys celebration of WWII-era nationalist guerrillas is causing tension with Poland Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys decision to name a military unit after a World War II-era militia infamous for massacring Poles and Jews has led to a sharp spike in tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw.
france24 · about 4 hours ago
EN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : Volodymyr Zelensky va rencontrer, dimanche à Londres, Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz et Emmanuel Macron MM. Macron, Merz et Starmer sentretiendront dabord tous les trois avant de recevoir M. Zelensky, pour une réunion visant notamment à « faire le point sur les travaux engagés en faveur dune paix juste et durable en Ukraine », a précisé la présidence française.
le monde · about 4 hours ago
Europa will Friedensgespräche wieder in Gang bringen Merz, Macron und Starmer treffen in London den ukrainischen Präsidenten Selenskyj. Ziel ist es, neue Bewegung in die festgefahrenen Friedensbemühungen im Ukraine-Krieg zu bringen.
welt.de · about 4 hours ago
UKs Starmer to host Zelensky and French, German leaders for talks
news.yahoo.com · about 4 hours ago
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky to meet Starmer in Downing Street after Kyiv launches drone strike on St Petersburg Keir Starmer will hold discussions on boosting support for Ukraine with Frances Macron and Germanys Merz
independent · about 4 hours ago
Why is Putin threatening the Baltics? – opinion Could the Kremlin launch a drone and ballistic missile barrage against the Baltic countries? Konstantin Eggert writes for Euractiv, partners of LRT English.
lrt · about 4 hours ago
Steve Rosenberg: Russias economic forum overshadowed by drone attacks on St Petersburg The BBCs Russia editor saw Putins flagship economic event overshadowed by Ukrainian drones attacks.
bbc · about 4 hours ago
Ukrajina jako přidružený člen Unie? Jde o symboliku a politický signál, ale je to nedomyšlené, říká politolog Ukrajina si podle Volodymyra Zelenského zaslouží být součástí Unie se vším všudy, a ne pouze jako přidružený člen, jak navrhl německý kancléř Friedrich Merz. Odborníci se k tomuto scénáři cesty do Bruselu staví rovněž skepticky, avšak hlavně z toho důvodu, že nic podobného rozšiřování nezná. „Aby to skutečně mělo význam, muselo by se především specifikovat, jak by takový krok Unie dokázala schválit, říká pro iROZHLAS.cz politolog Petr Kaniok.
irozhlas.cz · about 5 hours ago
Gipfel mit Selenskyj in London: Die Europäer drängen an den Verhandlungstisch Die Verhandlungen über ein Ende des Ukraine-Krieges liegen auf Eis. Nun starten die Europäer eine neue diplomatische Initiative. Wir beantworten die wichtigsten Fragen dazu.
tagesspiegel · about 5 hours ago
Ukrainekrieg: Merz, Macron und Starmer treffen Selenskyj in London Ein Treffen mit Wolodymyr Selenskyj hat Wladimir Putin abgelehnt. Nun wollen die Europäer mit dem ukrainischen Präsidenten sprechen und den Druck auf Russland erhöhen.
die zeit · about 5 hours ago
Liveblog Ukrainekrieg: Europäer bereiten sich auf mögliche Verhandlungen vor Merz, Starmer und Macron treffen Selenskyj in London +++ IAEA: Stromleitung an AKW Saporischschja wiederhergestellt +++ Ukraine greift wieder Sankt Petersburg an +++ alle Neuigkeiten im Liveblog
faz · about 5 hours ago
Trump To Meet Putin In Budapest For Second Summit In A Year US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have agreed to meet in Budapest following a phone call held a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to visit Washington.
radio free europe · 8 months ago
Trump, Putin to meet in Budapest after progress on Ukraine talks US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest after a great call aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement comes a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the White House to seek US-made Tomahawk missiles.
france24 · 8 months ago
Trump Says to Meet Putin in Budapest After Great Progress in Call The announcement came just a day before Ukraines leader is due at the White House to push for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles.
themoscowtimes · 8 months ago
Trump announces he will meet with Putin in Budapest after a call A day before Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Donald Trump to request American-made Tomahawk missiles, the US president had a call with Russias Vladimir Putin, in which he said they made great progress.
le monde · 8 months ago
Trump says he and Putin will hold second summit on Ukraine in Budapest President Trump announced following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that he and the Russian leader had agreed to meet in Hungary in the coming weeks to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.Split screen: The two-hour call took place a day before Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Trump and Zelensky will discuss the possibility of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk long-range missiles.Flashback: Trump and Putin made no tangible progress toward peace during a previous summit in Alaska in August. While Trump tried to arrange a follow-up summit between Putin and Zelensky, Putin has declined to hold one.Driving the news: Trump said on Truth Social that he believes great progress was made in his call with Putin.He said there their top advisers would meet next week to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with the U.S. represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, he said.Trump also wrote that Putin congratulated him on the deal to end the war in Gaza.What to watch: Trump said last week that he told Zelensky he might give Putin a new ultimatum: either Russia holds serious peace talks or Ukraine gets Tomahawks. The missiles could reach Moscow, and Zelensky has argued they could force Putin to the negotiating table. The Kremlin expressed extreme concern over the Tomahawks proposal.A Ukrainian official told Axios on Wednesday that Ukraine was still unsure whether Trump would agree to provide Tomahawks.Ukraine also wants to speed up deliveries of other U.S.-made weaponry, particularly Patriot missile defense systems.This story has been updated with Trumps announcement of an upcoming summit.
axios · 8 months ago
Trump Says He Will Meet With Putin in Budapest to Discuss End to Ukraine War The outcome of their call is expected to influence the presidents discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Friday over the prospects of the U.S. providing a powerful new weapon system.
wsj · 8 months ago
Trump, Putin Speak Amid Tensions Over Ukraine Conflict And Tomahawk Missiles US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, were speaking by phone on October 16, the White House and Kremlin said, just ahead a visit to Washington by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
radio free europe · 8 months ago
Trump speaks with Putin as Ukraines Zelensky presses for Tomahawk missiles US President Donald Trump is speaking with Russias Vladimir Putin on Thursday as he considers Ukraines push for long-range missiles. Trump said in a social media post late on Thursday morning that he was engaged in a lengthy phone call with Putin and would give an update on what they talked about as soon as it was over. The call comes ahead of Trumps meeting on Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader has been pressing Trump to sell Kyiv...
south china morning post · 8 months ago
Trump speaks with Putin as Zelensky presses for Tomahawk missiles US President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Russias Vladimir Putin on Thursday as he considers Ukraines push for long-range missiles, according to a White House official who was not authorised to comment on the private call and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The call comes ahead of Trumps meeting on Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader has been pressing Trump to sell Kyiv Tomahawk missiles, which would allow Ukrainian...
south china morning post · 8 months ago