Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
As global attention turns to the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the United Kingdom hosted a high-level international security meeting on Saturday aimed at coordinating Western responses to Trump’s controversial proposal to end the war in Ukraine.
The meeting, held in London, brought together senior security officials from the United States, Ukraine, and key European nations. It was chaired by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and included the participation of US Vice President JD Vance. This marked the first major diplomatic gathering since Trump outlined his proposed peace initiative, which is expected to be the centerpiece of his talks with Putin scheduled for Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a firm statement ahead of the talks, warning that no decision on peace can be made without Ukraine’s direct involvement. “Ukrainians will not give up their land to the occupier,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “Any decision made without Ukraine is also a decision against peace. It will achieve nothing.”
The British government confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Zelensky prior to the summit to discuss the proposed US plan and its implications. A Downing Street spokesperson stated, “The Prime Minister and President Zelensky exchanged views on the importance of today’s security meeting as a platform to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
While the full details of Trump’s proposal have not been officially released, several Western officials have said the plan involves Ukraine ceding significant territory, including the eastern Donbas region and Crimea, both of which are under Russian control. Reports also suggest the proposal could include freezing current battle lines and placing limits on Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and military capacity.
The Kremlin confirmed on Saturday that the Trump-Putin meeting will take place in Alaska, calling the choice of location “logical” given the geographical proximity of the two nations. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said, “Russia and the US are close neighbors with shared borders. It is only natural for the summit to be held in Alaska.”
Putin’s proposal, delivered last week through Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff during a private meeting in Moscow, reportedly includes recognition of Russia’s claims to Donetsk, Luhansk, and possibly other occupied territories, as well as a complete halt to Ukrainian military operations in those regions. A report from the Wall Street Journal revealed that Putin may have demanded Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk in exchange for a full ceasefire.
Trump has characterized the plan as a “partial land swap” that would benefit both sides and bring an end to more than three years of conflict. Speaking to reporters, he indicated that a deal could be reached “soon” if both parties demonstrate flexibility.
The London summit represents an effort to unify transatlantic positions before the Alaska talks, with European governments expressing concern that any agreement perceived as legitimizing Russian territorial gains could undermine the rules-based international order.
At the same time, a Pentagon memo leaked last week added another layer of uncertainty. The document suggests the US Department of Defense is considering diverting some military equipment originally intended for Ukraine back into domestic US stockpiles. This would mark a shift in Washington’s military aid policy and has raised concerns among European allies about the continuity of American support.
As the date of the Trump-Putin summit approaches, Ukraine and its Western partners are intensifying their diplomatic engagement to ensure that any peace process reflects international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Whether the Alaska meeting delivers a real breakthrough or sets a new precedent for unilateral diplomacy remains to be seen, but the outcome is likely to have lasting implications for the future of the region and the West’s collective response to the conflict.
