Germany, France, and the UK are working with Kyiv on plans to engage Russia in negotiations to end the war, as they see a shift in momentum strengthening President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's position, Bloomberg reported on 4 June, citing people familiar with the matter.
The initiative marks the coordinated diplomatic effort by Europe's three largest economies since the US effectively stepped back from the negotiation process. The people said London, Berlin, and Paris are acting in coordination with Kyiv and will not advance any strategy without Zelenskyy's agreement.
Why now
With US-led talks stalled and Russian forces suffering mounting losses amid a battlefield stalemate, the three nations see an opportunity to potentially bring Putin to the negotiating table, the people told Bloomberg. Adding to the pressure on the Kremlin, Ukrainian forces have had increasing success with drone strikes deep inside Russia, and there are some signs of resistance to Putin's war at the highest levels in Moscow, the outlet reported.
By negotiating now, the allies would aim to avoid another winter that will likely see Russia intensify its attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure as Putin seeks to undermine Ukrainian morale.
Zelenskyy said late Wednesday he had discussed "our joint diplomacy with Europe" in a call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "Europe definitely needs its own voice, its own position, and its own contribution to all diplomatic efforts that can help end the war," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "We coordinated on how to get there," he added. Starmer is expected to speak with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in the coming days, the people said.
Putin's position and internal divisions
Putin has not shown clear readiness to engage with European leaders he has repeatedly accused of aiding Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, and still regards Washington as the most important interlocutor for securing a deal. However, he left the door open in comments to reporters in Kazakhstan on Friday. "It is up to us to decide whether to meet with this or another actor in today's Western European politics," Putin said.
Bloomberg reported earlier this month that senior officials at Russia's finance ministry and central bank warned Putin that war spending is on an unaffordable path — the most serious sign of internal division in Moscow since the full-scale invasion began. The warnings have so far done little to sway the Russian president; he has tasked officials to shield defense spending and seek cuts elsewhere.
Dissent within the E3
Some officials from within the E3 nations themselves argue it is not the time for talks with Moscow, as Putin has shown no sign of being serious about negotiations and continues to harbor maximalist demands, including that Ukraine cede unoccupied territory.
Those same people said Kyiv's allies should instead exploit this moment to provide Zelenskyy with the weapons he needs and further ramp up pressure on the Kremlin by tightening and toughening sanctions. The E3 should be working with the US to get Russia to the table, the Bloomberg sources stressed, as the problem is in Moscow, not Kyiv. European nations should not be the side petitioning Putin to talk — it should be the other way round, given Russia's increasing economic struggles and staggering monthly casualty rates.
