Zelensky Meets UK’s Starmer in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Thursday for talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, part of a final round of consultations before U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Zelensky, fresh from meetings in Germany, has been rallying European leaders to dissuade Trump from striking any deal that allows Russia to retain Ukrainian territory. On Wednesday, Trump joined a German-hosted virtual conference with European heads of state and Zelensky, where Kyiv outlined red lines for negotiations aimed at ending the war.

Zelensky told Trump that Putin was “bluffing” about wanting peace, warning that Russia’s aim was to pressure Ukraine into concessions. Trump later threatened unspecified “severe consequences” if Putin rejected peace, hinting at possible economic sanctions.

Trump described Friday’s Alaska summit as an exercise in “setting the table” for a rapid second meeting that would involve Zelensky directly. “If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one,” he said.

Following Wednesday’s call, Britain, France, and Germany—co-chairs of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”—issued a joint statement outlining their position on a ceasefire pathway for Ukraine, reinforcing their support for Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.