European leaders say "intensive work" will continue in the coming days on a US-led plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, following a joint phone call with President Donald Trump.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they "agreed that this was a critical moment - for Ukraine, its people and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region".
A White House official confirmed that the call took place on Wednesday, but did not provide details.
This comes a day after Trump called European leaders "weak," suggesting the US could reduce support for Ukraine.
In the wide-ranging Politico interview published Tuesday, Trump also claimed that Ukraine was "using the war" to avoid holding elections, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to respond that he was "ready" for them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
And all three European leaders issued identical statements immediately after their call with Trump on Wednesday.
They said: "The leaders discussed the latest developments on the US-led peace talks, welcoming their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and to see an end to the killings."
"Intensive work on the peace plan is ongoing and will continue in the coming days."
The call lasted about 45 minutes and was initiated by the Americans.
Sources characterize the progress as “moving slowly towards an agreement” – but emphasize the complexity of reaching an agreement.
A key sticking point remains Ukrainian territory and whether it is feasible or reasonable to expect Kiev to effectively give up land it considers its own.
Meanwhile, the British government's early formulation is that decisions about Ukraine should be made by Ukraine.
This is an argument that European governments are making to Washington, while publicly and privately praising Trump's commitment to ending the war. /Telegrafi/
Source of information @Telegrafi: Read more at:the world today www.botasot.al
