Zelensky and Putin to meet, Trump claims – as Ukraine ceasefire now ‘viable’ ...Middle East

Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky could meet within days, Donald Trump has claimed, after the Ukrainian president signalled he was ready to discuss territory as part of a peace deal with Russia.

The US President, who is due to meet the Russian leader on Friday in Alaska, said a second summit between Putin and Zelensky could happen “almost immediately… if the first one goes OK”.

His remarks came as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there was now a “viable” opportunity to reach a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Trump is expected to make this a priority in Friday’s talks and has threatened Russia with “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to end the war.

Following what Trump described as a “very friendly call” with the Ukrainian president on Wednesday, Zelensky urged him to protect his country from “bluffing” Putin.

Zelensky has indicated he is ready to negotiate on Russian-occupied territory under any peace deal if his Ukraine has security guarantees from the US and as long as no official borders are changed “through force”.

And in a show of support for the Ukrainian president, Starmer told world leaders during a flurry of diplomatic meetings on Wednesday that “any talk about borders” must come alongside “a robust and credible security guarantee”.

Addressing the coalition of the willing – a group of nations which have pledged to support and maintain any ceasefire – the PM said plans have been drawn up to deploy a “reassurance force” to support any ceasefire if it is agreed.

The UK is drawing up further sanctions on Russia in an attempt to put pressure on Putin.

Speaking to leaders including US vice president JD Vance, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Zelensky, Starmer said: “International borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force, and again that’s a long-standing principle of this group.

“Alongside that, any talk about borders, diplomacy, and ceasefire has to sit alongside a robust and credible security guarantee to ensure that any peace, if there is peace, is lasting peace and Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.”

Starmer said “real progress” had been made on Wednesday, and the coalition was “ready to support” a deal through the deployment of peacekeepers.

The Prime Minister held the virtual coalition meeting, which Vance joined for the first time, after earlier talks between himself, Zelensky, Trump and other world leaders.

Leaders were united and collaborative during the talks, government insiders claimed.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Trump said: “The second meeting, if the first one goes OK, could happen almost immediately, between Putin and Zelensky, and myself if they’d like to have me there.

“Great things can be gained in the first meeting, setting the table for the second meeting.

“There may be no second meet if I feel it’s not appropriate to have it.”

President Zelensky suggested in a press conference with Chancellor Merz that Trump supports Europe’s push for a ceasefire first and hinted the US is ready to make security guarantees to protect Ukraine’s future.

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He, and Chancellor Merz, insisted there could be no question of legally recognizing Russian-held territory.

There has been international concern over the prospect of Ukraine being sidelined in talks about its future after President Trump suggested any truce could involve some “swapping” of land.

Zelensky said a ceasefire “must be the number one priority” and should come with “security guarantees” – adding that President Trump had indicated his support and “America’s readiness to participate,” in this.

“Regarding our principles and territorial integrity, in the end this is all decided at the level of leaders,” he added. “Without Ukraine, it is impossible to decide this.”

Merz said Ukraine was “prepared to negotiate on territorial issues” but the “so-called contact line must be the starting point and legal recognition of Russian-occupation is not up for debate”.

It comes amid reports that the US has been examining a model of a West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine.

The Times revealed US and Russian officials had discussed allowing Putin to retain military and economic control of occupied Ukraine under its own governing body – as a route to agreeing a truce.

Trump is also said to be considering offering Russia access to rare earth minerals in Alaska – where Friday’s summit is being held – to encourage him to end the war in Ukraine.

The US could open up Alaska’s resources to Russia, and lift some American sanctions on Moscow, to incentivise Putin to agree a deal, according to The Telegraph.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering – international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.

“Europe stands ready to support this and will continue to work alongside President Trump and President Zelenskyy for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

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