Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his closest European allies have outlined five essential conditions for achieving a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, following high-level talks in London.

The meeting brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In a joint statement released after the summit, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed the need for a comprehensive peace process backed by both Europe and the United States.

Five Conditions for Peace

The leaders agreed that any future peace agreement must be based on the following principles:

1. An immediate halt to hostilities and military operations.
2. Negotiations should begin from the current realities on the battlefield.
3. Ukraine must receive strong and reliable security guarantees.
4. The United States should remain actively involved in the peace process.
5. Ukraine’s right to determine its own security arrangements and international alliances must be respected.

The statement emphasized that a sustainable peace cannot be achieved without protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Support for Direct Ukraine-Russia Dialogue

The European leaders welcomed Zelensky’s recent open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he called for direct negotiations aimed at ending the war. They endorsed the proposal and urged a dialogue process involving Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and the United States.

The move comes amid growing concerns that global attention has shifted away from the conflict, particularly as U.S. President Donald Trump focuses on escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Intensifying Attacks on Both Sides

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues to escalate.

Ukraine recently demonstrated its growing long-range strike capabilities by launching drone attacks deep inside Russian territory. On Saturday, Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, during the final day of a major economic forum.

Russian authorities described the operation as an “unprecedented” attack. Earlier in the week, Ukrainian forces had also struck areas near the city as President Putin’s flagship economic event was getting underway.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, causing significant damage and casualties.

Chornobyl Nuclear Facility Targeted

Before arriving in London, Zelensky strongly condemned what he called a “vile” Russian attack on critical nuclear infrastructure near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

According to Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, Enerhoatom, a Russian drone struck a facility used for storing spent nuclear fuel. The attack partially damaged the structure, although no injuries were reported.

Emergency teams quickly extinguished a fire at the site, and officials confirmed that radiation levels remained stable.

“Russia deliberately targeted this critical nuclear infrastructure facility,” Zelensky stated, warning that such actions pose serious risks to global nuclear safety.

Casualties Continue in Zaporizhzhia

Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities reported that at least three civilians were killed following a Russian strike on a village outside Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine.

The region has experienced a surge in Russian attacks in recent weeks, with multiple casualties reported over consecutive days.

The Importance of Chornobyl

The Chornobyl nuclear site remains one of the world’s most sensitive nuclear locations. In 1986, the facility became the scene of the worst civilian nuclear disaster in history when a reactor explosion released massive amounts of radioactive material across Europe.

Concerns about the site’s safety have remained high since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Last year, another Russian drone strike damaged the protective shelter covering the destroyed reactor.

Outlook

As the war enters another critical phase, Ukraine and its European partners are pushing for a diplomatic path forward while maintaining pressure on Russia. The London summit highlighted a united European position: peace negotiations are possible, but only if Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and future choices are fully protected.