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(From left) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron talk as they say goodbye in front of the Prime Minister's official residence at 10 Downing Street, after concluding their meeting in central London on the 7th (local time). / Photo via AFP, Yonhap News

The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany expressed their support on the 7th (local time) for a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war. Furthermore, they made it clear that Europe would play an active role in the future peace negotiation process.

The leaders of the 'E3'—an informal security alliance comprising UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz—issued a joint statement after meeting with President Zelenskyy at the Prime Minister's official residence on Downing Street in London on this day, Reuters reported. In the statement, they positively evaluated President Zelenskyy's proposal for direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia via diplomatic means, premised on the participation of the United States and Europe.

Previously, the Ukrainian President had proposed a face-to-face meeting through an open letter sent to President Putin. In the letter, he claimed that demands for peace have risen even among the Russian public due to inflation, fuel shortages, and continuous airstrikes. He also noted the current situation where the US is focusing on the war in Iran, pointing out, "We cannot just blindly wait until Europe becomes a major focus of the US again."

The E3 leaders and Ukraine presented an immediate and complete ceasefire as a prerequisite for a "just and sustainable peace." To this end, they urged that the currently formed military frontlines be used as a starting point for dialogue, and that Ukraine's security be legally guaranteed, including the deployment of multinational forces. They also asserted that the release of currently seized and frozen Russian assets must be withheld until compensation for war damages is completed, and that the security interests of all of Europe must not be undermined during the negotiation process.

Immediately after the meeting, President Zelenskyy emphasized Europe's role for diplomatic diversification once again via social media (SNS), stating, "Ensuring that Europe's position and voice are strongly reflected in the negotiation process remains Ukraine's consistent top priority."

President Putin rejected President Zelenskyy's proposal on the grounds that it lacked sincerity and that the effectiveness of a meeting at this point would be low. He emphasized that a "long-term agreement" is required rather than short-term measures, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with international media officials on the 4th, President Putin reaffirmed his existing hardline stance but left open the possibility that the peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump could serve as an alternative to end the war, provided that the Ukrainian side shows a willingness to compromise.

                                                                                                            Lee Jung-eun