Vance and Lammy host Ukraine talks ahead of US-Russia summit

US vice-president JD Vance and British Foreign Minister David Lammy organized a meeting of security officials near London to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Translections were reportedly called to demand from the United States.

The couple was joined by Ukrainian officials and European advisers in terms of national security, with Lammy saying that “the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine remains in any case while we continue to work towards a just and lasting peace”.

This occurs while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that he would make no territorial concession to Russia, before a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week.

The meeting on Saturday took place in Cheventing, the official Lammy residence in Kent, where Vance and his family stay.

Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine, the Council of National Security and Defense, and Andriy Yermak, head of the Zelensky office, attended the talks with officials representing the United Kingdom, the United States, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and NATO.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer received a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the meeting, and said it was agreed that it would be a “vital forum” to discuss progress to peace.

Trump and Putin should meet on August 15 to discuss the future of war.

Trump reported that Ukraine may have to give up the territory to end the war, which began with the large-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022.

Speaking on a potential peace agreement, Trump said on Friday that there “will be” an exchange of territories, to the improvement of the two “.

“You are looking at a territory that has been taking place for three and a half years, many Russians have died. Many Ukrainians have died,” he said.

Russia has always insisted that Ukraine recognizes Russian sovereignty in several Ukrainian regions, accepting the demilitarization and abandonment of its NATO aspirations.

Trump’s position has also constantly involved Ukraine sacrificing land for peace.

While Zelensky took care not to criticize Trump, his article on social networks clearly indicates that he will not accept it.

Early on Saturday, he declared in a telegram post “The Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier” and reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any solution for peace.

“We are ready, with President Trump, with all the partners, to work for real peace and above all sustainable – a peace that will not collapse because of the wishes of Moscow.”

In his speech on Saturday evening, Zelensky said that the meeting in the United Kingdom had been constructive.

“The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only with Ukraine, it is a key principle,” he said.

This is what Ukraine, and many European allies, were still worried – Trump and Putin tried to conclude an agreement without Ukraine present.

In an article on X on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the future of Ukraine could not “be decided without the Ukrainians” and warned that “Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, because their own security is at stake”.

Trump’s words on Russia may have hardened in recent months, but for Ukraine, they have not yet been followed by tangible actions.

Friday, a deadline established by the American president of Russia to accept a cease-fire or to face more sanctions adopted without any apparent consequences.

The American BBC partner, CBS News, quoting a senior White House official, reported that Zelensky could end up being involved in the meeting between Putin and Trump in one way or another, because the planning of the Friday meeting is always fluid.

On the ground, there is a resignation that the initial peace talks may not include Ukraine.

The soldiers and civilians to whom the BBC spoke expressed a strong desire for peace. There is the exhaustion of constant fights and attacks of Russian drones and missiles.

But there is little evidence that Ukraine is willing to accept a peace at all costs – even less one which will be forced to reach it without its voice being heard.