Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with European leaders in London on Friday to seek increased military and logistical support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.

The talks, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, brought together two dozen leaders and focused on enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses, safeguarding its power grid from almost daily Russian drone and missile attacks, and supplying longer-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia. Starmer and Zelenskyy also discussed ways to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid recent Western sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and gas exports.

Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street, saying, “Time and again we offer Putin the chance to end his needless invasion, to stop the killing and recall his troops, but he repeatedly rejects those proposals and any chance of peace.”

The meeting also considered a potential “reassurance force” of air and naval support to help train Ukrainian forces, with its headquarters expected to rotate between Paris and London. About 20 other leaders joined via video link in the group dubbed the Coalition of the Willing.

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Meanwhile, the conflict continued on the ground. Russia claimed the capture of 10 Ukrainian villages in Donetsk and reported downing 111 Ukrainian drones, causing property damage near Moscow. Ukraine reported Russian artillery strikes in Kherson, killing two and injuring 22, and multiple glide bomb attacks in Kharkiv and Odesa, the latter described as “a new, serious threat” by local officials. Ukrainian rail services were disrupted due to shelling damaging infrastructure.

The London meeting underscores continued Western support for Ukraine while highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by Russian military operations.

Source: AP