Officials from the three largest European economies have held private discussions about arranging bilateral talks and have raised the idea with Ukrainian counterparts, Bloomberg said.
UK PM Keir Starmer plans to discuss the strategy in the coming days with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the report. The sources emphasized that any decision to begin talks would be up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that European partners would not pressure Kyiv.
Bloomberg said the talks were prompted by a shift in political and military dynamics in Ukraine’s favor, which strengthened Kyiv’s negotiating position. With U.S.-led negotiations stalled and Russian forces suffering battlefield losses, European officials see an opening to push Putin to the table. Successful Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russian territory and warnings from senior Russian finance and central bank officials that war costs are unsustainable have also added pressure on the Kremlin, the report said.
“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 the Ukrainian morale,” Bloomberg added.
But the European group is divided. Critics note Putin has
not shown serious intent to make peace and continues to make maximalist
demands, including Ukrainian capitulation and renunciation of territory Kyiv
regards as its own. Skeptics argue Europe should instead exploit Russia’s
vulnerability with tougher sanctions and immediate delivery of all needed
weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot air-defense systems. They say any peace
initiative should come from Moscow, not be solicited by European capitals.