Politics Ukraine role for Europeans? - Selensky consults with partners
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi wants to discuss the faltering peace process with the heads of state and government from Germany, France and the UK today.
22.05.2026, 04:51
SDA
"I have planned a meeting with the E3 (Europe 3) partners," he said in a video message recorded in the city of Slavutych, north of Kiev.
"We will talk about how our joint pressure and our joint diplomatic work can influence the situation in real terms," Zelensky said, without giving further details. He did not provide any information on the format of the talks. As he is in Ukraine, it is likely to be a video call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Peace efforts are on ice
Efforts to end the Russian war of aggression, which has been going on for more than four years, have been on hold in recent weeks. The USA, which does not see itself primarily as an ally of Ukraine but as a mediator, has been distracted by the Iran war since the end of February.
Kiev's European allies have so far been more involved on the sidelines. However, they are discussing which demands and which negotiators should be used to talk to Russia about ending the war. Moscow says it is willing to talk, but is not backing away from its maximum war aims.
Night-time drone attacks
From late Thursday evening, Russia and Ukraine again attacked each other with drone strikes. The Ukrainian army again announced a major attack on targets in the Russian hinterland. The Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya restricted air traffic at numerous airports, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Ukrainian air force located Russian drones over the north-eastern parts of Chernihiv and Sumy.
Concerns on the border with Belarus
In Slavutych, Zelensky was almost on the border with Belarus. He discussed better protection of the border region against possible attacks from the neighboring country with local representatives. He warned that Russia wanted to get its close ally Belarus more involved in the war.
Belarus would only take part in this war if it was attacked itself, said ruler Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, according to the state news agency Belta. He declared his willingness to meet with Zelensky "anywhere, in Belarus, in Ukraine". The presidential office in Kiev replied that there was nothing to discuss with Lukashenko.
Dead and injured in eastern Ukraine
Four civilians were killed and another five injured by Russian airstrikes in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. According to the regional prosecutor's office, the small town of Druzhkivka, which is close to the front line, was attacked with glide bombs and drones. Druzhkivka is located south of Kramatorsk and only around 20 kilometers from the Russian front lines.
In the evening, at least 19 people were injured in the large city of Dnipro in the south, according to local authorities. An airstrike damaged two apartment blocks. Russia has been waging a devastating war against neighboring Ukraine for more than four years.
