Macron: Ukraine and Europe now have "many cards" in peace talks

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe and Ukraine now have numerous arguments and tools to pressure Russia in negotiations to secure peace in Ukraine – what remains is to reconcile the positions of Ukraine, Europe and the United States.

"We all support Ukraine, we all support peace and peace talks to achieve a lasting, reliable peace. And I think we have many cards in our hands," Macron said before the start of negotiations in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Macron pointed out that the European Union is providing funding for Ukraine, organising the supply of equipment and training programmes, etc

"It is a fact that Ukraine is putting up resistance in this war, and it is a fact that the Russian economy is starting to struggle, particularly following our latest sanctions and those imposed by the United States," the French president emphasised.

"The main issue now is to reconcile our common positions, those of Europe, Ukraine and the US, in order to conclude these peace talks and begin a new phase under the best possible conditions for Ukraine, for Europe and for our collective security," he added.

Starmer has welcomed Zelenskyy, Merz and Macron outside the UK prime minister's residence at Downing Street in London.

In the evening, Zelenskyy is set to fly to Brussels to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian leader is expected in Rome.

Zelenskyy's diplomatic tour follows a series of meetings between Ukrainian and US representatives on a "peace deal".