In hosting Ukraine’s president for talks about a “ceasefire” with Russia, with three of America’s biggest diplomatic guns, Britain’s foreign secretary has the awkward task of keeping them on side while ensuring he hasn’t led Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops into an ambush.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has signalled that the US is prepared to walk away from brokering peace talks if there is no breakthrough. He’s bringing his team of negotiators with him – not to talk but to present an ultimatum that favours Russia.
