Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit London for pivotal discussions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The agenda centers on a peace initiative aimed at concluding the protracted conflict with Russia, now nearing its fourth year. This diplomatic engagement follows a public rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized Zelensky for allegedly neglecting to review a White House-endorsed ceasefire proposal.
As reported by The Guardian, the meeting at No. 10 Downing Street will include French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. These leaders represent the NATO countries with the largest military budgets, excluding the United States. Zelensky faces mounting pressure to endorse the U.S. proposal, amid Trump's accusations of procrastination.
Trump suggested that Zelensky is stalling, despite claims that Kyiv's negotiators are in favor of the draft, which Trump asserts Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept.
The specifics of the revised 28-point plan remain undisclosed, but it appears to involve Ukraine ceding territory in return for U.S. security assurances. Trump has been vocal in urging Zelensky to agree, even as evidence of Putin's willingness to cease hostilities remains elusive. "I have to say that I am a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn't yet read the proposal," Trump remarked to reporters, emphasizing that while Zelensky's team supports it, the Ukrainian leader has yet to engage with the document.
Zelensky, while not directly responding to Trump, described his discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as "constructive, though not easy." Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and General Andrii Hnatov are en route to Europe to brief Zelensky following high-level talks in Florida. The Ukrainian President is expected to update Starmer, Macron, and Merz on these discussions, as they convene in London for a critical decision-making session.
Zelensky has expressed a commitment to "working in good faith," yet acknowledges that meaningful progress hinges on Russia's willingness to commit to lasting peace. Ukraine and its allies are poised to demand robust security guarantees from the U.S. and a coalition led by the UK and France, while resisting territorial concessions to Russia. Sir Keir Starmer has consistently advocated for Ukraine's sovereignty, emphasizing the need for the nation to chart its own course.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia persists in its aggressive campaign against Ukraine, with recent attacks resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The Kremlin continues to reject the presence of allied troops in Ukraine and demands significant territorial concessions. Meanwhile, the U.S. has unveiled a new national security strategy prioritizing improved relations with Moscow, a move welcomed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
In parallel, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is scheduled for talks in Washington, focusing on the Ukraine conflict and broader security cooperation.
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