European leaders have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to host direct peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s largest conflict since the Second World War gathered renewed momentum at the G7 summit in France. The proposal comes as President Zelenskyy told Trump that Ukraine is no longer losing ground on the battlefield, arguing that Kyiv is now negotiating from a stronger position.
G7 seeks diplomatic breakthrough
The proposal emerged during discussions among G7 leaders, who believe that Trump’s direct involvement could create an opportunity for face-to-face negotiations between the two leaders after more than four years of war.
European governments continue to support Ukraine militarily while increasingly emphasising the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution that could eventually bring an end to the conflict.
Officials familiar with the discussions say several European leaders encouraged Trump to use his relationship with both Moscow and Kyiv to facilitate an initial summit, even if comprehensive negotiations would require months of further work.
Zelenskyy projects confidence
During bilateral discussions with President Trump, Zelenskyy reportedly argued that Ukraine’s military position has stabilised following recent operations and continued Western military support.
The Ukrainian president rejected suggestions that Kyiv is negotiating from weakness, maintaining that the country’s armed forces have improved their defensive capabilities while increasing pressure on Russian positions through long-range drone operations and precision strikes.
The assessment marks a notable shift from earlier concerns over manpower shortages and ammunition supplies that dominated international discussions earlier this year.
Trump positions himself as mediator
President Trump has repeatedly stated that ending the war in Ukraine remains one of his highest foreign policy priorities.
Since returning to office, he has argued that direct negotiations offer the fastest route towards a ceasefire and has expressed confidence that both sides could eventually reach a settlement.
Hosting a summit between Zelenskyy and Putin would represent the most ambitious diplomatic initiative undertaken by the United States since the conflict began and could significantly reshape international efforts to achieve peace.
However, no formal agreement has yet been reached regarding the timing, location or agenda of any potential meeting.
Significant obstacles remain
Despite renewed diplomatic optimism, major differences continue to separate the two sides.
Ukraine maintains that any peace agreement must respect its internationally recognised borders and sovereignty, while Russia continues to insist that territorial realities created during the conflict must be acknowledged.
Security guarantees, reconstruction funding, sanctions policy and prisoner exchanges also remain central issues that would require extensive negotiation before any lasting settlement could be achieved.
Military operations continue across several regions despite the renewed diplomatic activity, highlighting the complexity of reaching an immediate ceasefire.
A critical moment for Europe
The renewed calls for direct negotiations reflect growing recognition among European governments that the conflict cannot be resolved solely through military means.
While continued support for Ukraine remains a cornerstone of European policy, leaders increasingly believe that sustained diplomatic engagement will ultimately be necessary to secure long-term stability across the continent.
Whether President Trump succeeds in bringing Zelenskyy and Putin to the negotiating table could become one of the defining geopolitical developments of 2026, with profound implications for European security, global markets and the international political order.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 17 June 2026
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