Overview

• Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the EU convene in London for the first UK-hosted Weimar+ meeting on European security and Ukraine support.
• David Lammy is set to announce additional sanctions targeting individuals and entities supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• The meeting follows European leaders' joint call in Kyiv for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, backed by the US, to facilitate peace talks.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged to attend.
• The talks also serve to strengthen European defense cooperation and prepare for a broader EU-UK summit on May 19 addressing post-Brexit trade and security ties.