European leaders discuss Ukraine in London
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz coordinates with election winner Friedrich Merz ahead of talks.
London (dpa) – European heads of state and government and the leaders of the EU and NATO are set to meet in London this Sunday to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the US push for peace negotiations. The meeting is likely to be dominated by the recent rift between Ukraine and the US, which occurred after an unprecedented altercation unfolded in front of rolling cameras during a conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The UK host of Sunday’s meeting in London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, positioned himself as a bridge-builder between Europe and the United States.
In addition to Zelensky, the meeting is expected to be attended by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelensky is scheduled to meet King Charles III before the summit. According to the UK government, one of the aims is to arrive at a “strong, lasting agreement” that secures a possible peace, while also ensuring that Ukraine is able to fend off future Russian attacks. Meanwhile, Federal Chancellor Scholz is liaising closely with his presumed successor Friedrich Merz. After the incident at the White House on Friday evening, the two spoke on the phone about the London summit. Talks are also due to take place prior to the special EU meeting next Thursday.