BERLIN

European leaders expressed on Thursday support for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, following a key meeting between a US envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week.

"I spoke with President Zelenskyy about the (Wednesday) meeting between US Special Envoy (Steve) Witkoff and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X.

"We are both grateful to the American president for his mediation efforts and are in close contact with the United States and our European partners."

French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed holding talks with Zelenskyy and other European leaders regarding recent developments.

“I reiterated to the Ukrainian President France’s full support for a ceasefire to be established, in order to initiate discussions toward a strong and lasting solution that upholds Ukraine’s legitimate rights and ensures its security and that of all Europeans,” Macron said on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on X that she spoke with Zelenskyy regarding the latest developments.

"We discussed the next steps on the way towards a negotiated peace agreement and Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union as well as its reconstruction," she explained, reiterating Europe's "clear" position, fully supporting Ukraine to guarantee a just and lasting peace.

The call followed Witkoff's visit to Moscow, where he met with Putin for approximately three hours. Following the meeting, both sides said Trump and Putin will meet "in the coming days" to discuss the war in Ukraine.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said that during the phone call between Merz and Zelenskyy, the leaders thoroughly discussed recent diplomatic developments.

“Both leaders praised the mediation efforts of the US president and agreed that Russia must end its war of aggression, which violates international law,” the spokesman said.

“They agreed to maintain close contact with European partners and the US. The German chancellor assured the Ukrainian president of his continued support,” he added.