US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted high-level security talks on the Ukraine war ahead of the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. According to BBC News, the meeting between Trump and Putin was reportedly arranged at the request of the United States.
The talks took place on Saturday at Chevening, Lammy’s official residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are staying.
They were joined by Ukrainian officials, European national security advisers, and representatives from the UK, US, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO. Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, and Andriy Yermak, Head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office.
During the discussions, Lammy stressed that the UK’s commitment to Ukraine “remains ironclad” as both nations continue working toward a “just and lasting peace.” This meeting came just hours after President Zelenskyy publicly stated that Ukraine will not make any territorial concessions to Russia.
Separately, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone conversation with Zelenskyy, calling the Alaska meeting a “vital forum” for peace efforts. Ahead of the summit, Trump hinted at possible compromises, saying on Friday there would be “some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.” He acknowledged that “a lot of Russians have died” and “a lot of Ukrainians have died” in the war that has lasted over three-and-a-half years.
Trump’s comments sparked concern among European leaders. On Saturday night, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement declaring: “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” They insisted that “international borders must not be changed by force” and pledged ongoing diplomatic, military, and financial support to Kyiv. The statement underscored Ukraine’s right to choose its own destiny.
While avoiding direct criticism of Trump, Zelenskyy made his stance clear in a Telegram post: “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.” He added that Ukraine is willing to work “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.”
In his evening address, Zelenskyy described the Chevening meeting as constructive and stressed: “The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine; this is a key principle.” Moscow, however, continues to demand that Kyiv recognise Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Also Read: White House Open to Trilateral Trump–Putin–Zelenskyy Meeting in Alaska
