The meeting followed an in-person summit hosted by the prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron at the beginning of the month after President Donald Trump’s administration surprised European allies by meeting with Putin in person.
Leaders from several European countries joined the phone, along with leaders from Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Polish Defense Minister Vladislo Kosiniak Kamisiz said European countries and their allies were “very motivated” to move towards peace, and he was more optimistic than he had been two weeks ago.
“Everyone is determined to put pressure on Russia,” he said at a broadcast press conference. “The ball is on Russia’s side. Now Russia needs to show its true intentions. Do they really want peace, or do these only empty words aim for a lecture?”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters that while he has expressed his willingness to help ensure peace for all countries, it is still too early to provide details about practical support in the peacekeeping mission. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke to other leaders who are not hoping to participate by her country in ground missions in Ukraine, according to a statement from her office.
During the meeting, leaders defeated plans for peacekeeping forces of more than 10,000 units in Ukraine, the Sunday Times reported, citing senior government sources. According to the newspaper, the large volumes are likely to come from the UK and France. He also said that around 35 countries have agreed to supply weapons, logistics and intelligence support to their missions.
Leaders will soon present their proposal to Trump, who is trying to convince them to commit US security assurances in the form of air forces, intelligence report surveillance and border surveillance without sending US troops as part of the peacekeeping forces.
Russia said it would oppose the troops belonging to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Agency stationed in Ukraine after the war ended. Additionally, Ukraine, which was invaded by Kremlin forces in 2022, requires that its territory be firmly agreed to neutrality and be unarmed.
Bloomberg reported this week that Western security officials assessed Putin as intentionally setting the biggest target around land and peacekeeping forces.
The Kremlin forces are aiming to surround Kiev’s troops in northeastern Ukraine, directly adjacent to Kursk, as negotiations advance towards a temporary ceasefire, President Voldymir Zelensky said on Saturday.
He told reporters that Russia’s offensive plans include the prospect of pushing ground forces into Smee – a sign that Putin is not preparing to lay weapons.
“That step does not mean peace,” he said.
