UK Hosts High-Level Ukraine Talks: Zelenskyy Urges for Swift Peace Deal

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described a meeting in the United Kingdom with European and US leaders as a decisive step toward ending the war with Russia, pressing for an agreement that delivers genuine and lasting peace rather than a short-term ceasefire.

The talks, held ahead of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, brought together senior figures from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Union. The gathering aimed to consolidate allied positions and ensure Ukraine remains central to any diplomatic process.

Speaking after the meeting between US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Zelensky said Ukraine’s stance was clear and unwavering. “What is needed is not a pause in the killings, but a real, lasting peace,” he told reporters. “Not a ceasefire months from now, immediately. President Trump told me so, and I fully support it.”

The joint statement issued by participating nations underscored their support for Trump’s efforts to broker a settlement. It stressed that any peace initiative must combine diplomacy, military aid to Ukraine, and continued pressure on Moscow. The statement also signalled that unity among Ukraine’s partners is crucial to sustaining Kyiv’s resistance and ensuring Russia does not benefit from its aggression.

While discussions in Washington have hinted that territorial concessions might be explored as part of a deal, Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” he said, a sentiment echoed by many of his European counterparts.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised that any resolution must be built on Ukraine’s direct participation. “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now,” he warned. Macron’s comments were seen as a response to concerns that great-power negotiations could bypass Kyiv’s sovereignty in pursuit of expediency.

The meeting also addressed the broader implications of the conflict, including European security and the stability of global energy and food supplies. Leaders agreed that a hasty or ill-conceived agreement could embolden Moscow, setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian states.

Zelenskyy closed his remarks by urging “maximum coordination” among allies, warning that delays or divisions could undermine efforts to end the war. He expressed gratitude for continued Western support but cautioned that only decisive, united action could bring about the peace Ukrainians desperately need.

The gathering in the UK reinforced the political reality that the war’s resolution depends not only on battlefield dynamics but also on carefully managed diplomacy.