The Vice President of the United States met with representatives from the United Kingdom and Ukraine in a meeting that could lay the groundwork for lasting peace in Europe
Although Ukraine's participation in the Alaska summit has not been officially confirmed, sources close to the White House indicated that its inclusion is not ruled out. However, the main focus would be on bilateral negotiations between Trump and Putin.
During his visit to the United Kingdom, the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, led a key meeting where negotiations were held between representatives from Ukraine, Europe, and the United Kingdom with the goal of advancing toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The meeting, organized by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Washington's request, lasted several hours on Saturday, August 9. According to a senior U.S. official, the talks represented "significant progress" toward President Donald Trump's goal of reaching an agreement to end the armed conflict.
From Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the meeting as constructive and assured that his proposals were heard. "Our messages were conveyed. Our positions are being considered. The President of the U.S. has the power and determination. Ukraine has supported all of President Trump's proposals since February, including a ceasefire in all its formats," he stated.
The context of these negotiations is especially relevant due to the imminent summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will take place this week in Alaska, marking the first direct meeting between both leaders since the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.
Zelensky, however, was clear in warning that no peace agreement will be legitimate without Ukraine's direct participation. He also reiterated his firm position regarding the territories occupied by Russia: "We will not give our land to the occupier," he stated, maintaining a maximalist stance despite the lack of military progress in reclaiming the occupied areas.
Zelensky's position was supported next weekend by several European leaders, who, through a joint statement, emphasized that they will not accept changes to international borders by force.
The statement was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President of Finland Alexander Stubb.
