LONDON — In a high-stakes diplomatic gathering on Saturday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance hosted a strategic meeting at Chevening House in Kent. The session convened national security advisers from the U.S., Ukraine, and key European partners to coordinate positions ahead of the upcoming U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska on August 15.
Ukraine’s position was made unequivocal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would never cede territory to Russia, firmly condemning any peace dialogue that sidelines Kyiv. “Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace,” he declared, describing them as “dead decisions.”
European leaders echoed the sentiment, insisting the path to peace must be determined jointly with Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and EU leaders underscored that peace negotiations must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and include its voice.
Amid growing concerns that a U.S.–Russia summit could marginalize Ukraine, diplomatic efforts have intensified. While President Trump has proposed a standalone face-to-face with President Putin, the possibility of a trilateral meeting including Zelenskyy remains under consideration, though no final decision has been announced.
Sources: BBC, AP News, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal
