Zelenskyy tells EU to keep pressure on Russia ahead of new talks

Europe rushes to influence U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine as military leaders gather in London for peace deal discussions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU leaders on Thursday (March 20, 2025) to step up weapon supplies to Ukraine and keep pressuring Russia, as officials from Kyiv and Moscow readied to hold fresh talks with the United States next week.

Europe is scrambling to weigh on the outcome as U.S. President Donald Trump forges ahead with Russia on ending its war on Ukraine, and top military brass gathered in London on Thursday to thrash out how to police any peace deal.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said afterwards that the plans of the so-called "coalition of the willing" around Ukraine were "coming together".

The London meeting came after Zelensky addressed an EU summit in Brussels via video call, charging that "despite Putin's words... nothing has changed".

Mr. Zelenskyy said a new Russian strike had "hit our energy infrastructure" on Wednesday night, even after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with Trump to halt such attacks.

The Kremlin leader must "stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war", he added, calling on the EU to ramp up arms deliveries and keep sanctions in force.

In Norway, Zelensky said Ukrainian and US officials would meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday to build on US-led efforts to secure a speedy end to the Russian invasion, now grinding into its fourth year.