Europe May Take Lead From US in Putin Talks

Europe is signaling it wants to steer the next phase of diplomacy with Vladimir Putin, not just ride shotgun to Washington. A spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that European leaders are moving to assume a bigger role in efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though still in tight coordination with the US, reports Politico. The shift follows a London meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, and the UK, who joined President Volodymyr Zelensky in calling for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow with both US and European involvement.

Their joint statement laid out five conditions, including an immediate ceasefire, using current front lines as a starting point, "robust and legally binding" security guarantees for Ukraine, and keeping Russian assets frozen until Moscow ends its war and pays for damage. The leaders backed the idea of a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin, per FirstPost. (Putin is not thrilled with the idea.) The European push comes as the Trump administration devotes more attention to the war with Iran, and after months of little progress from US-led mediation. Berlin's spokesperson warned it could take "weeks or even months" to draw Putin into talks, saying only a militarily strong Ukraine and sustained pressure on Russia are likely to bring him to the table.