We begin with strong diplomatic reactions from Ukraine and across Europe, just days ahead of a historic meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Saturday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with European allies and Ukrainian officials in the United Kingdom for high-stakes talks aimed at advancing peace efforts in Ukraine. The closed-door meeting was held at Chevening House, the UK foreign secretary’s estate in Kent. Vance sat down with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian representatives, and officials from several European nations.
According to a senior U.S. official, the talks “produced significant progress” toward President Trump’s stated goal of ending the war now in its fourth year.
The diplomacy comes less than a week before Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on August 15th. It will be the Russian leader’s first visit to the United States in a decade, and the first face-to-face meeting between the two since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
But the upcoming summit is sparking unease across Europe, particularly because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be at the table. French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his concern, saying, “The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now.”
Tensions rose further after Trump suggested a possible “swapping of territories” as part of a peace plan an idea Zelenskyy rejected outright, vowing Ukraine will not surrender land to what he called “the occupier.”
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak reaffirmed that “a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognizing the occupation.”
In his evening address, Zelenskyy described the UK talks as “constructive” and said, “Our arguments are being heard. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together and only together with Ukraine.” He also said he believes Trump “has the leverage and the determination” to end the war, noting that Ukraine has supported all of Trump’s proposals since February.
Friday marked the deadline Trump set for Putin to agree to a ceasefire or face new “secondary sanctions” targeting countries that buy Russian oil. But questions remain over whether Washington will follow through as both leaders prepare for their Alaska meeting.
With less than a week to go, the stakes are high, and the outcome could shape not only the course of the war in Ukraine but the future of European security.
Lisa Lomami.
