In brief
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in the UK for high-level talks with European leaders at Downing Street. The meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, brings together France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The leaders discuss Ukraine's defence, European air defence cooperation, and diplomatic prospects for ending the war. Zelensky accused Russia of a 'vile' attack after a drone strike near the Chernobyl nuclear plant, while noting recent Russian strikes in southern Ukraine. The meeting comes as US focus shifts to the Iran conflict.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in the UK for talks with top European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, focuses on Ukraine's defence, European air defence cooperation, and diplomatic prospects for ending the war.
Zelensky described the main agenda as 'our defence in the war, greater cooperation for the security of all of Europe in the area of air defence, and our shared view of diplomatic prospects'. He emphasized that 'Europe must be part of the negotiations and must be strong'.
The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of a 'vile' attack after Kyiv officials reported a drone strike on a spent nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl nuclear plant. There were no injuries, and radiation levels remained stable, according to Ukraine's state-owned nuclear operator.
Separately, at least three people were killed in a Russian strike in a village outside Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, authorities said. The region has come under relentless Russian attacks recently.
Earlier, Zelensky had called for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that waiting for US attention would be 'wrong'. However, Putin rejected the proposal at a major economic forum in St Petersburg, stating there was 'no point' in meeting Zelensky.
The talks come as the US shifts its focus to the war with Iran, and with Ukraine demonstrating increased capability to strike targets within Russia itself.
