Summary
Here’s a wrap-up of the day’s key events:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a series of statements on X after his meeting with European leaders ahead of Monday’s peace talks with Donald Trump in the US. In his statements, Zelenskyy said: “Ukraine’s constitution makes it impossible to give up or trade land. Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral—Ukraine, the U.S., Russia. So far, Russia gives no sign this will happen, and if Russia refuses, new sanctions must follow.”
Ahead of Monday’s peace talks in the US, French president Emmanuel Macron said that in order to have a “lasting peace deal for Ukraine, Ukraine needs a strong army”. He added that European allies want “Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected” and that “Ukraine must be represented in any talks on Ukraine’s future.” Macron also said that “our goal for tomorrow’s talks is to present a united front between Ukraine and its European allies”.
European Union council president Antonio Costa added that he “welcomed the United States’ willingness to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine”. Costa said: “Transatlantic unity is paramount at this moment to achieve a sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
Donald Trump has published a letter Melania Trump addressed to Vladimir Putin during his visit to Alaska on Friday. In the letter, the first lady urges the Russian president to “restore the melodic laughter” of children, saying: “In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone – you serve humanity itself. Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today.”
Steve Witkoff added that Russia had agreed to unspecified concessions on five Ukrainian regions central to the war, particularly the eastern Donetsk province. “We agreed to robust security guarantees that I would describe as gamechanging,” Witkoff said.
European leaders who are set to join Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of solidarity at the White House on Monday include: German chancellor Friedrich Merz, British prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s president Alexander Stubb, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.
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Asked behind the scenes at June’s G7 summit if he could explain why Donald Trump seemed to like him so much, Keir Starmer admitted he did not really know. Whatever the reason, when it comes to Ukraine, the UK prime minister is once again hoping to exploit this somewhat curious relationship.
As soon as it was announced that a string of European leaders planned to join Volodymyr Zelenskyy to back the Ukrainian president in crucial talks with Trump at the White House on Monday, it was obvious Starmer would be joining them.
The idea of Britain being some sort of bridge between US and European interests is something of a longstanding UK diplomatic cliche, and not one that always necessarily carries much meaning.
But in the case of Ukraine, Starmer has very deliberately sought to position himself as a leader who can get along with Trump while consistently stressing to him Europe’s red lines over any peace plan, and trying to sweet talk the president into offering US security guarantees.
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