Ukraine Turns to Europe as U.S. Steps Back as Mediator in Peace Talks

The New York Times ^ | June 7, 2026 | Constant Méheut

[MinorityRepublican]

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine arrived on Sunday afternoon in London for talks with the leaders of Britain, Germany and France as Europe considers taking a more active role in peace talks with Russia after more than a year of unsuccessful U.S. mediation.

Ukraine and its European allies see a new opening to revive talks that have stalled as Moscow made uncompromising territorial demands and Washington shifted its focus to the war with Iran. They note that Russia’s recent battlefield setbacks and mounting economic strains could make a peace settlement more appealing to the Kremlin, a scenario that is also increasingly discussed in Russia.

In a letter to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last week, Mr. Zelensky offered to resume talks. He added that “Europe should be part of this process,” renewing his call for European capitals to help fill the vacuum left by Washington’s retreat from negotiations.

European leaders have said they do not see themselves replacing Washington as mediators — a prospect Mr. Putin has also dismissed — but rather as additional participants in efforts to end a war whose outcome will shape Europe’s security for decades to come.

I believe we should talk to Putin,” President Alexander Stubb of Finland told the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung in an interview published Sunday. “We must do this together with the Americans, but at the same time ask ourselves whether American foreign policy toward Russia and Ukraine is currently in Europe’s interest. If not — and in certain aspects, it isn’t — then we must get involved.”

E.U. officials in recent weeks have been weighing ways to step up their roles in future talks. Sunday’s meeting in London is expected to advance those discussions.

[MotorCityBuck]

https://youtu.be/I_i659-nXmQ
Military Summary Channel - Facts on the ground.

More Russian gains on the ground. As usual.

[BenLurkin]

Asking the nations which are funding your war to be a mediator just does not compute.

[Sacajaweau]

It’s political blackmail. “Z” is such an a**.

[MinorityRepublican]

Asking the nations which are funding your war to be a mediator just does not compute.

Looks like the war will continue for another 10 years.

[BenLurkin]

We’ve already lost Landing Strip One.

[Brian Griffin]

“Russian gains on the ground”

are not worth the losses the Russian soldiers are suffering.

[Brian Griffin]

The State Department should write up a peace plan that it thinks both parties will accept.

The parties can haggle based on that plan, if they chose not to accept it as written.

As this point, only the funeral directors are winning.

[MinorityRepublican]

The State Department should write up a peace plan that it thinks both parties will accept.

Trump offered but Zelensky said no.

[silverleaf]

Maybe Europe can solve it
Hope so

[dfwgator]

Maybe Europe can solve it
Hope so

---

They don’t have a good track record.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Imagine being Pat Tillman giving up something he so sincerely believes in just to get killed by his own people. Trump ain’t that dumb.

[MinorityRepublican]

Maybe Europe can solve it

[chuckee]

Chances are Russia may be more open to peace talks now than ever before because this war is grinding down to diminishing returns for him. He made the big gains during the first 2-3 years that filled most of his objectives, but turf now is a lot harder and more expensive for him to come by and domestic political winds may be shifting in Russia. Western Europe is feckless. It would not be a bad idea to have a US component along with UK, France and Germany at peace talks with Russia.

[MinorityRepublican]

Chances are Russia may be more open to peace talks now

Zelensky is not interested in ending the war unless Russia agrees to withdraw.

Putin cannot withdraw troops to end the war.

[adorno]

European leaders have said they do not see themselves replacing Washington as mediators

Europe needs to get the hint. Trump and his administration are too busy elsewhere to bother with Ukraine vs Russia. Trump is washing his hands of the negotiations, and Putin will have to deal with the European leaders. Ukraine should also get the hint that Trump isn't interested in what happens to Ukraine, and should also get the hint that when it comes to favorites in the conflict, Putin is his man. Too many hints that Ukraine and the Europeans are failing to get. Geesh!

[adorno]

Your link points to a bunch of videos which have Russia losing on every front. Duh!

[adorno]

Asking the nations which are funding your war to be a mediator just does not compute.

Your comment makes no sense. Perhaps Putin should not be in the negotiations either, because, he's the one controlling the funding for the Russian side of the war. When it comes to wars and their negotiated ends, the warring parties and their supporters, are always involved first-hand.

[adorno]

“Russian gains on the ground” are not worth the losses the Russian soldiers are suffering.

Great counterpoint and very factual.

[adorno]

Trump offered but Zelensky said no.

Offering a surrender plan on behalf of Ukraine, is a non-starter for anyone with even just a few brain cells. Duh!