The talks are expected to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and growing European unease that the American plan could pressure Kyiv into surrendering territory. Leaders fear the proposal may tilt in Russia’s favour and fail to prevent future aggression.
The U.S. unveiled its 28-point peace proposal on 21 November, calling for Ukraine to relinquish around 20% of its land, including parts of Donbas, halt its NATO ambitions, and limit its military to 600,000 troops. In exchange, Russia would see sanctions lifted and billions in frozen assets released. Zelensky has not accepted the terms; former U.S. president Donald Trump claims Kyiv “hasn’t studied the plan fully,” while insisting Russia is ready to agree.
European capitals have rejected the proposal, presenting a separate 20-point counter-plan in Geneva that seeks stronger defence commitments for Kyiv. UK minister Pat McFadden said Europe’s objective was to ensure “peace on the ground, not just on paper,” warning the decisions taken now could shape Ukraine’s borders in 2026.
The London talks follow a series of high-level engagements involving Trump’s envoys Steve Wittkoff and Jared Kushner, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin for five hours in early December. Subsequent U.S.-Ukraine talks in Miami ended without concrete progress, though both sides agreed on a general framework for future guarantees.
European leaders remain wary. A leaked video call from 1 December showed them urging Zelensky not to rely solely on U.S. mediation. They argue the American proposal sidelines Europe and risks emboldening Moscow at a time when Russian forces have intensified aerial strikes.
Tensions have sharpened further after Putin warned that any European military intervention would provoke a “full-scale response.” German intelligence has also assessed that Russia could be preparing for confrontation with NATO by 2029, prompting Britain and France to discuss a joint post-war deployment in Ukraine to deter further escalation.
The war, now approaching its third anniversary, has displaced millions and reshaped Europe’s security landscape. Monday’s meeting in London is viewed as a pivotal moment in determining how the next phase of diplomacy unfolds and how far Kyiv’s allies are willing to go to secure an enduring settlement.
