Leaders of the UK, France and Germany back a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for direct dialogue with Russia to seek a ceasefire and enable further negotiations. According to multiple outlets, the backing comes in a joint statement issued after defence talks in London on Sunday, and following meetings between Zelensky and the senior leaders of the three countries. The statement supports a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, while indicating “active” U.S. and European participation in the process. Separate reporting also describes the meetings at or linked to 10 Downing Street with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. At the same time, the war continues alongside the renewed diplomatic push. One report says Russian strikes have damaged a nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Other coverage adds that exchanges of fire and drone attacks continue. In the days following the European leaders’ endorsement, ambassadors from the three countries also hold talks at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, while Russian officials criticize the countries’ stance as seeking to prolong the war. The outlets collectively frame the move as an effort to restart stalled diplomacy through direct engagement.