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Updated 07 June 2026 - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene a high-level meeting in Downing Street today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss continued European backing for Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks.
Russian drone hits nuclear site near Chornobyl
Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone struck a facility storing spent nuclear fuel close to the Chornobyl nuclear plant in northern Ukraine earlier on Sunday. The attack triggered a fire, which was subsequently extinguished, with no reported injuries. Radiation levels at the site remained stable, according to Kyiv's state nuclear operator, Enerhoatom.
Enerhoatom described the strike as a deliberate act endangering nuclear safety. President Zelensky condemned the attack in a post on X, calling it a "vile Russian strike" on "extremely critical infrastructure." He also detailed widespread Russian assaults across 13 Ukrainian regions overnight, including 88 missiles, over 3,250 drones, and 1,800 guided bombs launched in the past week.
Civilian casualties in Zaporizhzhia
Separate Russian strikes in southeastern Ukraine claimed at least three lives in a village near Zaporizhzhia, authorities confirmed. The region has faced relentless bombardment, with at least two additional fatalities reported on Saturday alone.
Ukraine retaliates with deep strikes into Russia
Ukraine conducted a drone attack on St. Petersburg and its surrounding areas on Saturday, coinciding with the final day of a major economic forum in the city. Russian authorities described the assault as "unprecedented." Earlier in the week, Kyiv targeted the outskirts of St. Petersburg-approximately 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine-during the forum's opening, producing a visible plume of black smoke over the city.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion four years ago, Ukraine has significantly expanded its defense capabilities, enabling regular strikes on targets within Russian territory.
Diplomatic efforts stall as Putin rejects talks
The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany-collectively known as the E3-are among Ukraine's most steadfast allies. The UK and France lead the "coalition of the willing," an initiative aimed at providing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a potential peace process.
The group last met in London in December, when the U.S. was actively pushing for a swift agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to end the war. Since then, American mediation efforts have lost momentum, with Washington's focus shifting to the conflict involving Iran.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Zelensky's proposal for direct negotiations, stating he saw no purpose in meeting the Ukrainian leader. In an open letter, Zelensky argued that delaying talks would be "wrong," urging immediate action to refocus global attention on the war.
"A truce would merely allow Ukraine to regroup," Putin said during a speech at the economic forum. He reiterated that Russia would only halt its military campaign once its objectives are achieved.
What's next for Ukraine's allies
The Downing Street meeting is expected to reaffirm Western support for Ukraine, though the path to a negotiated settlement remains uncertain. The discussions will likely address military aid, economic assistance, and strategies to counter Russian aggression in the coming months.
