Volodymyr Zelenskyy has begun an official working visit to the United Kingdom. The President of Ukraine's agenda in London is packed with key meetings designed to determine the next steps regarding security and diplomacy.
Key Meetings in London
The visit includes scheduled bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. Additionally, a meeting in the E3 format will take place — a joint discussion involving French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
According to a Telegram announcement, the leaders' teams have already conducted substantive preparatory work. Now, the main issues will be discussed and coordinated directly at the level of heads of state.
Particular attention is being paid to military defense issues. Zelenskyy emphasized that the top priority remains ensuring Ukraine's security amidst the war, as well as expanding cooperation in the field of air defense (NATO/air defense) to protect all of Europe.
Diplomatic Prospects and Europe's Role
The President of Ukraine highlighted the need for a unified view on diplomatic prospects. In his words, Europe must be an active participant in any negotiations and maintain its strength as a security guarantor.
An important element of the visit will be the scheduled audience with the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III, tomorrow. This event will underscore the high level of diplomatic interaction between the countries.
Gratitude to Partners and Stance on Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom and other partners for "concrete steps" aimed at strengthening the protection of Ukrainian lives and exerting pressure on Russia regarding its aggression.
"Russia must end this war of theirs," the President stated, summarizing his expectations for the visit.
Context: E3 Group and the "Dialogue Window"
The visit takes place against the backdrop of recent statements from Germany regarding a possible "dialogue window" between Europe and the Russian Federation concerning the situation in Ukraine. Berlin noted that the E3 group (Germany, France, United Kingdom) will continue to play an important role in this process.
Recall that in December 2025, the leaders of the three countries — Zelenskyy, Starmer, Macron, and Merz — met in London. At that time, the parties agreed to increase economic pressure on Vladimir Putin and emphasized the need to achieve a "just and lasting" peace for Ukraine.