European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump in deeming Russia’s stance in ceasefire negotiations as unacceptable. Following discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and a call with President Trump, Starmer emphasized the need for coordinated responses among European nations. The leaders of France, Germany, and Poland also endorsed this stance during a summit in Albania.

President Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to ending the conflict with Russia but urged increased sanctions if President Putin continues to stall peace talks. Despite direct peace negotiations in Istanbul yielding limited progress, Zelenskyy called for a robust response if Russia fails to engage seriously. The EU is preparing new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector and financial institutions, with support from British Prime Minister Starmer.

Criticism was directed at Putin for opting not to attend face-to-face talks, with NATO and EU leaders accusing Russia of playing games and lacking sincerity in pursuing peace. The EU plans to escalate pressure on Russia through sanctions, including targeting the shadow fleet and the Nord Stream pipeline consortium. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni emphasized the importance of persisting in efforts to secure an unconditional ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement for Ukraine.

The summit in Tirana, themed “New Europe in a new world,” provided a platform for bilateral meetings among leaders from about 50 nations. Hosted by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama after his party’s electoral victory, the summit aimed to enhance European competitiveness, address migration challenges, and promote regional cooperation. The event underscored Albania’s aspirations for EU membership and served as an opportunity for leaders to engage on critical security issues.