Can a Putin-Zelenskyy face-to-face meet end the war? Europe thinks it's worth a try

The leaders of Britain, Germany and France have backed a proposal for face-to-face talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in what could become a new diplomatic effort to end the war in Ukraine.

The three countries said they support a direct meeting between the two leaders aimed at securing a ceasefire and creating a pathway toward broader peace negotiations. They also stressed that Europe must play an active role in any discussions that shape the future of regional security.

A fresh push after years of war

The endorsement comes as the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on both Ukraine and Russia, with fighting showing few signs of ending despite periodic discussions on ceasefires, humanitarian corridors and prisoner exchanges.

European leaders have increasingly argued that a lasting settlement will require political negotiations alongside military and economic pressure. By publicly backing leader-level talks, London, Berlin and Paris are signalling that diplomacy should once again move to the forefront of efforts to end the conflict.

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Europe wants a seat at the table

A key message from the three capitals is that Europe cannot be sidelined in any future peace process.

The war has reshaped the continent's security landscape, prompting governments across Europe to boost defence spending, strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (Nato) coordination and rethink long-term security arrangements. As a result, European leaders argue that any ceasefire or peace agreement must include their participation.

The statement also reflects concerns that decisions affecting European security should not be left solely to negotiations involving Kyiv, Moscow and Washington.

Major obstacles remain

Despite the diplomatic momentum, significant hurdles stand in the way of any summit.

Ukraine has consistently maintained that its sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, while Russia continues to insist that any settlement must account for what it describes as the "realities on the ground."

Previous efforts to bring Zelenskyy and Putin together have repeatedly collapsed amid disagreements over territory, security guarantees and ceasefire terms. As of now, there is no confirmed timeline for a meeting.