The leaders of the United Kingdom, Ukraine, France, and Germany convened in London on June 7, 2026, to address the urgent need to enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities against Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missiles.
Hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, the meeting brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyyFrench President Emmanuel Macronand German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss strategies for scaling up production of interceptors and co-developing anti-ballistic missile and deep strike capabilities.
Condemnation of Russian aggression and drone incursions
The leaders strongly condemned Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attacksparticularly the repeated use of Oreshnik missiles on Ukrainian cities, which have resulted in a tragic toll on civilians. They also expressed concern over Russia’s irresponsible and dangerous drone incursions into NATO territory, including a recent incident in Romania.
Russia has intensified its aerial campaign against Ukraine, with the Oreshnik missiles being a notable addition to their arsenal. The leaders emphasized the need for immediate action to bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems, which have been strained due to the depletion of U.S. stocks during the Iran war.
Call for a ceasefire and long-term security guarantees
Following their meeting, the European leaders called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to an immediate and complete ceasefireusing the current line of contact as a starting point for any negotiations. They reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, emphasizing the importance of robust and legally binding security guarantees.
The UK, France, and Germany, known as the E3 group, have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2026. The UK and France lead the coalition of the willing initiative, which aims to provide security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace process.
Recent attacks and international response
The meeting came in the wake of a Russian drone strike that killed three people waiting at a bus stop in southeastern Ukraine. Additionally, a separate drone strike damaged a storage center for spent nuclear fuel in the Kyiv region, just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The attack sparked a fire that was extinguished within an hour, with officials confirming that radiation levels remain safe.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over the incident, noting the large amounts of nuclear material held at the facility. The IAEA plans to visit the site of the attack soon.
The Russian attacks follow a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Saturday that targeted Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. This underscores Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia, as both sides seek an edge by launching long-range strikes.
