Senior security officials from the US, Ukraine, and Europe convened near London in a crucial meeting hosted by US Vice-President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks come just days before a highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for August 15 in Alaska.
The meeting took place at Chevening, Lammy’s official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are currently staying. It was reportedly called at the request of the US and aims to prepare for possible outcomes of the summit, focusing on the future of the conflict that erupted following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing the importance of the forum for discussing progress toward peace. However, Zelensky has been firm in rejecting any territorial concessions to Russia, underscoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and the necessity of its involvement in any peace deal.
President Trump has suggested that ending the war might require “some swapping of territories,” a position that aligns with Russia’s longstanding demands for Ukraine to recognize Russian sovereignty over annexed regions and to abandon its NATO aspirations. Despite Trump’s openness to territorial compromises, Zelensky reiterated in a Telegram post that Ukraine will never cede its land to occupiers, emphasizing a commitment to a “lasting peace” that excludes Moscow’s interference.
The prospect of peace talks excluding Ukraine has drawn criticism from European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Ukraine’s future “cannot be decided without the Ukrainians” and stressed that European security depends on being part of the solution.
On the ground, Ukrainian soldiers and civilians express deep exhaustion from ongoing violence but remain resolute in their refusal to accept a peace imposed without their voice. With tensions high and the summit looming, the world watches closely as the fate of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security hangs in the balance.
