Vance, Lammy hold talks with Ukrainian security officials ahead of Trump-Putin meet in Alaska

US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have hosted a meeting with security officials to discuss the war in Ukraine ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska . According to BBC News, the talks between the two leaders were reportedly called at the request of the United States.

As per the report, Vance and Lammy were joined by Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers. During the talks, Lammy made it clear that the “UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace”. The talks were held just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that he will make no territorial concessions to Russia .

Meanwhile, the world will be watching closely the outcome of the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska next week. According to BBC News, the Saturday meeting was held at Chevening, Lammy’s official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are staying.

Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, and Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky’s office, attended the talks along with representatives from the UK, US, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Nato.

UK supports Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

In the midst of all this, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and said they agreed it would be a “vital forum” to discuss progress towards peace. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump signalled that both Ukraine and Russia may have to “swap territories” in a bid to end the war which have been raging for over three-and-a-half years.

Speaking on a potential peace deal between warring nations, Trump said on Friday that there “will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both”. “You’re looking at territory that’s been fought over for three and a half years, a lot of Russians have died, A lot of Ukrainians have died,” he said.

Concerned by Trump’s remarks, on Saturday night, several European leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming their support of Ukraine and insisting that it must be involved in any peace talks. “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine ,” said the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny.”

In the letter, the leaders insisted that “international borders must not be changed by force” and that their nations would continue to support Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and financially. Trump’s position has consistently involved Ukraine sacrificing land for peace.

Zelenskyy won’t give up the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been careful not to criticise Trump, in his latest post on the matter, he made it clear that he will not accept giving up territories. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”, Zelenskyy said in a telegram post and reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any solution for peace.

“We are ready, together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for a real, and most importantly, lasting peace - a peace that will not collapse because of Moscow’s wishes,” he added. In his evening address on Saturday, Zelenskyy said that the meeting in the UK had been constructive.

“The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine; this is a key principle,” he said. Meanwhile, Moscow has maintained that Kyiv should recognise the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.