London – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has found some comfort in the United Kingdom, France and Germany’s leaders after they supported him in his proposed face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement following defence talks with Zelensky in London on Sunday as Russia’s war with Ukraine is into the fifth year.
The support borders on “the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia — with active US and European participation — to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations.” 
Following repeated Russian bombings, Kyiv has reached out to the West for extra ammunition for its air defences. However, Zelensky also hopes that the Western allies would increase pressure on Russia to terminate the war.
“I discussed with the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, the steps needed to reinvigorate diplomacy and Ukraine’s current needs,” Zelensky wrote on the platform X.
He continued and said, “I informed Keir about the need for additional missiles for air defence systems and the things that are important for protecting energy infrastructure and preparing for winter. We also coordinated our positions ahead of the G7 and NATO Summits and the meetings of the Coalition of the Willing. I am grateful to Keir for organising the E3–Ukraine meeting and for his constant and effective support for our state.”
Starmer responded to his post, saying, “Our support for Ukraine is ironclad. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. Slava Ukraini.”
While Zelensky supports a face-to-face meeting, Putin has ruled it out, stating there is no purpose in meeting Zelensky until a viable peace accord is reached.
Sergey Aksyonov, Moscow’s director of the Crimea area, stated on Telegram that on Monday, a Ukrainian drone strike on a passenger train killed one of its drivers and injured another.
Zelensky reportedly met with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Kyiv to pass on a message to Putin, stating that they will defend their territory and will not relinquish it to Russia.
“We will not leave, and we will not go out from our territory; no, we will not give you victory,” he said, quoted by Sky News.
Zelensky also said that he would be meeting with King Charles III on Monday for a more diplomatic push.
