Zelenskyy Meets UK’s Starmer Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit

By Staff Writer

LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, just one day before a high-stakes U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The leaders embraced warmly outside 10 Downing Street before holding private talks. Zelenskyy’s visit followed virtual meetings from Berlin with Trump and European leaders, where Trump pledged to prioritize achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine during Friday’s summit.

Europe Wary of Potential Concessions to Russia

European leaders fear the bilateral summit could sideline Ukraine’s interests and result in a deal favorable to Moscow. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron described Wednesday’s video conference with Trump as constructive, but concerns remain.

Trump warned of “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to end the war. Starmer stressed that any ceasefire must protect Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” and be backed by robust security guarantees.

Putin Signals Openness to Agreements

The Kremlin confirmed the Alaska talks will begin at 11:30 a.m. local time with a one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation talks and a working breakfast. Putin praised U.S. “energetic and sincere efforts” to halt hostilities and hinted at possible agreements on strategic weapons control.

Macron said Trump clarified that NATO would not be part of security guarantees but the U.S. and other involved parties should participate. However, Trump has not publicly committed to any such guarantees.

Ukrainians Divided on Expectations

Some Ukrainians remain skeptical about meaningful progress. Oleksandra Kozlova, 39, said many have “already lost hope” after years of unfulfilled promises. Others, like car salesman Anton Vyshniak, believe saving soldiers’ lives should take priority, even if it requires territorial concessions.

Continued Fighting on Both Sides

Russian missile strikes injured civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kherson regions overnight. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack set fire to a major oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd region, a frequent target in recent months.

SOURCE: AP News