US, UK, Ukraine meet in London for key talks on peace deal
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo)
London: Officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and several European nations are scheduled to meet in London on Wednesday in a bid to advance efforts toward a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that the meeting, which follows last week’s discussions in Paris, will focus on what a ceasefire could look like and how long-term peace might be achieved. However, plans to involve foreign ministers in the talks were scrapped at the last minute after the US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the Paris discussions, could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. Instead, the talks will include senior officials, including retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, former President Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
This meeting comes amid growing speculation that the US might press Ukraine to cede territory to Russia as part of any potential peace deal. Last week in Paris, US officials presented a proposal that would allow Russia to retain control of occupied Ukrainian territories as part of a broader agreement. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejected this notion, stating, “There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people.” Some European allies have expressed concern over the American proposal, though there is an acknowledgment that Russia remains deeply entrenched in several Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
A senior French official suggested that if the aim is an immediate ceasefire, it should be based on the current front lines. The official emphasized that Ukraine's territorial integrity and its desire to strengthen ties with Europe remain a top priority. The ongoing diplomatic efforts, while not expected to yield immediate breakthroughs, are seen as a crucial step in halting more than three years of war since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Despite the political divisions and cautious optimism, some Western leaders have tempered expectations of a breakthrough. British officials downplayed hopes for a resolution but underlined the importance of the week’s diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Trump stated that negotiations were “coming to a head” and suggested that the US might withdraw if neither side makes significant progress. Rubio also hinted that the US could soon step back from the negotiations if there is no movement toward peace, suggesting that the Wednesday meeting could be pivotal in determining the US's continued involvement.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, noted that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow again this week, although he provided no further details. Western analysts have suggested that Russia is in no rush to conclude peace talks, as it continues to gain ground on the battlefield and seeks to capture additional Ukrainian territory.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson, Dave Pares, emphasized that "the ball's in Russia's court," urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to show genuine commitment to peace. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy affirmed that Ukraine’s delegation to the UK has a mandate to discuss only an unconditional or partial ceasefire with Russia, adding that after a ceasefire, Ukraine is open to talks in any format.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned that the settlement process is highly complex and that it would be unrealistic to set tight deadlines or expectations for a viable resolution. Delegations from both Russia and Ukraine have also held separate talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia as Trump seeks to fulfill his campaign promise to end the war.
Russia has rejected a US proposal for an immediate, full 30-day ceasefire, conditioning any halt in fighting on significant terms. Despite this, Putin declared a 30-hour unilateral ceasefire over the weekend. However, Ukrainian and British officials reported continued Russian attacks during the alleged pause, and the Associated Press has been unable to verify whether the ceasefire was observed along the front lines, which span nearly 1,000 kilometers.
As both Russia and Ukraine prepare for the spring-summer military campaign, the diplomatic talks remain critical in shaping the course of the conflict.
With PTI inputs
