Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received the backing of the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in calling for direct ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a joint statement issued following defence talks in London on Sunday.

Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street for talks as Russia’s war has stretched into its fifth year.

The leaders “supported the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia – with active US and European participation – to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations”, they said in a joint statement with Zelensky.

“The current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations,” it said.

“International borders must not be changed by force.”

Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open letter on Thursday.

Putin ruled out the move, saying he saw “no point” in meeting Zelensky until a possible peace deal had been agreed.

The Ukrainian president told Sky News on Sunday evening he had also met with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Kyiv to pass on a message to Putin.

“You are fighting against us on our territory,” Zelensky said of his message to Abramovich, who is sanctioned by the UK and European Union over his ties to the Kremlin following Russia’s invasion.

“We will not leave and we will not go out from our territory, no we will not give you victory,” he said, adding he had reiterated his request to meet Putin face-to-face.

Kyiv has been asking its Western allies for more ammunition deliveries for its air defences as Ukraine endures daily Russian strikes. Zelensky is seeking ways for the allies to further pressure Russia to end the fighting.

Earlier on Sunday, the Ukrainian president wrote on X that he would be meeting with Britain’s King Charles III on Monday.