Macron, Merz, and Starmer Meet Zelensky in London on Sunday

SadaNews - French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London on Sunday to discuss "support for Ukraine" and "increasing pressure on the Russian war effort," according to the Élysée Palace.

The three leaders will hold talks among themselves before meeting the Ukrainian president.

The French presidency added in a statement reported by "Agence France-Presse": "This meeting will also provide an opportunity to assess efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in continental Europe, particularly within the framework of the 'Alliance of Willing' that has been formed to provide security guarantees for Ukraine."

According to the statement, Russia "is currently facing a military, economic, and strategic failure, insisting on futilely remaining on the front lines in a bloody war."

Russian attacks with hundreds of drones killed seven Ukrainians on the night of Thursday to Friday, following Zelensky's invitation to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a direct meeting aimed at ending the conflict, which received a European welcome.

The Ukrainian army stated that Russia launched two missiles and 216 long-range drones at night, of which it shot down 198.

This comes as the Ukrainian president proposed in a letter published on Thursday to hold a direct meeting with his Russian counterpart to end the war "through direct dialogue."

The European Union welcomed this invitation, with its spokesperson Anetta Hiber stating: "We welcome President Zelensky's call for direct negotiations and the call for a ceasefire. For our part, we reiterate that Ukraine wants peace, and Europe wants peace."

The French president also welcomed the invitation, stating: "I believe that Ukraine and Russia now need to work on establishing a ceasefire and laying out a peace plan, and Europeans can contribute to that."

The war erupted with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Talks between the two countries have stalled for months, especially with the United States, which is mediating, turning its attention to the war with Iran.