LONDON (BN24) — US Vice-President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a crucial meeting of security officials near London on Saturday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, ahead of the highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week.
The talks, reportedly convened at the request of the United States, brought together Ukrainian officials alongside senior national security advisers from the UK, US, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO. The meeting took place at Chevening, Lammy’s official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are currently staying.
Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, “The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace.” The dialogue comes amid mounting international pressure for a resolution to the war, which has devastated Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Key Ukrainian participants included Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, and Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office. Ahead of the meeting, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Zelensky, describing the forthcoming forum as “vital” to discuss progress toward peace.
The summit between Trump and Putin, scheduled for August 15, has generated considerable tension. Trump has suggested that Ukraine may have to cede some territory to secure an end to the conflict, stating on Friday that “there will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.” He cited the heavy casualties on both sides and the prolonged nature of the fighting as justification for territorial compromises.
Russia has consistently demanded Ukraine recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied regions, agree to demilitarization, and abandon its aspirations to join NATO. Trump’s position aligns with these demands, advocating territorial concessions as a path to peace.
However, Zelensky has firmly rejected any notion of ceding land. In a Telegram post on Saturday, he emphasized, “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” and insisted that Ukraine must be part of any peace negotiations. He added, “We are ready, together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for a real, and most importantly, lasting peace — a peace that will not collapse because of Moscow’s wishes.”
European leaders share Ukraine’s concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron warned on social media that Ukraine’s future “could not be decided without the Ukrainians,” and underscored the importance of European involvement, stating that “Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake.”
While Trump’s rhetoric on Russia has hardened in recent months, critics note a lack of concrete actions. A US-imposed deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face intensified sanctions passed without apparent consequences.
Planning for the Trump-Putin summit remains fluid, and US officials have not ruled out some form of Ukrainian participation. Still, many observers worry that early peace talks may exclude Ukraine, raising fears of a deal made at Kyiv’s expense.
On the ground, Ukrainian soldiers and civilians express a deep yearning for peace amid ongoing Russian drone and missile attacks. Yet, there is a resolute refusal to accept any peace agreement that sacrifices Ukraine’s sovereignty or sidelines its voice.
