Leaders of the G20 who participated in the summit in Johannesburg issued a call for “just and lasting peace” for Ukraine. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held critical trilateral talks to examine the US plan for Ukraine.
The three European leaders, who had already held discussions on Tuesday in Berlin, met around 1:15 PM Greek time, before a broader discussion that would include other EU heads of state and government present in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, sources speaking to Reuters reported that the E3 countries, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, as well as Japan and Canada, would discuss the US peace plan for Ukraine later today, on the margins of the summit.
The E3 constitutes an informal security cooperation alliance between France, Britain and Germany. Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Marc Carney held talks with Emmanuel Macron regarding the situation in Ukraine, also on the sidelines of the G20, according to an announcement from the Canadian government.
G20: Europeans call for lasting peace in Ukraine
As announced, the two leaders confirmed their continued support for Ukraine and emphasized that any effort to resolve the war must include Kyiv, take into account its fundamental interests, and be accompanied by credible security guarantees. Carney also expressed his commitment to work with allies to achieve “just and lasting peace” in the region.
Ukraine will consult with its partners regarding steps to end Russia’s war against it in the coming days, it became known from the Ukrainian president’s office today.
President Volodymyr Zelensky approved the composition of the delegation, which will be led by the head of his office and includes top security officials, as well as instructions for the related negotiations, according to the announcement posted on Telegram.
“Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace and representatives of the Ukrainian state will defend the legitimate interests of the Ukrainian people and the foundations of European security,” it emphasized.
