Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has met key European allies as he faces US pressure to reach a swift peace deal with Russia.
In London, Zelensky held talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The meeting came amid US efforts to get Moscow and Kyiv to sign up - quickly - to a plan to end the war in Ukraine.
For Kyiv, the crucial, thorny issues are the question of ceding territory to Russia as part of any peace deal and obtaining strong security guarantees to ensure that Moscow respects an eventual agreement.
Ahead of the meeting in London, Starmer insisted - as he often has in the past - that Ukraine needed 'hard-edged security guarantees'. He has also repeatedly stated that Kyiv must determine its own future, without conditions imposed on it.
The significant discussions in London focused on the future of Ukraine and the broader security of Europe.
Leaders expressed concerns that conceding territory to Russia could embolden further aggression against European nations.
However, doubts linger about whether these talks will yield substantial progress in peace negotiations, especially with the backdrop of US scrutiny over European expectations related to the ongoing conflict.
Recent confrontations in Europe netted incidents of drone chaos and sabotage attributed to Russia, exacerbating anxieties that the continent could face further instability.
Despite these pressing issues, European leaders are cautious in publicly criticizing the US's stance while still pursuing Ukraine's sovereignty.
Washington's historical role provides Europe with essential military support, leading to a hesitance in fully voicing concerns about US peace proposals.
As the dynamic between US and European leaders evolves, the need to balance ally cooperation with firmly supporting Ukraine's position remains a complex challenge.
