London, August 10(HS): In a critical diplomatic initiative ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska, US Vice-President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy convened high-level security discussions near London, bringing together key Ukrainian officials and senior European national security advisers. The meeting, held at Chevening—Lammy’s official country residence—was initiated at the request of the United States and was attended by Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Secretary; Andriy Yermak, head of President Zelensky’s office; as well as delegates from the UK, US, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO.
The dialogue was underscored by the unequivocal message from both British and European leaders that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable. Foreign Secretary Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s “ironclad” support for Ukraine’s pursuit of a just and enduring peace, while a subsequent joint statement from senior European leaders insisted that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” rejecting any prospect of territorial concessions dictated by external actors.
This united front comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that Ukraine will not cede any land to Russia, in direct contrast to public comments from US President Donald Trump, who has suggested that territorial “swaps” may be necessary to broker peace. The impending summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin has heightened anxieties in Kyiv and across Europe that a resolution might be imposed upon Ukraine without its formal participation.
While there is evident fatigue among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians due to protracted hostilities and relentless Russian attacks, there is little appetite for a peace extracted at the price of sovereignty. President Zelensky, while expressing readiness to work with international partners toward a “lasting peace,” reiterated that any solution must have Ukraine’s voice at the centre.
As diplomatic engagement intensifies, European leaders have collectively reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine—politically, militarily, and financially—and stressed that international borders cannot and must not be altered by force. The coming days are set to be decisive, as the world watches whether Ukraine’s future will truly be determined with its participation, or shaped by external power dynamics.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
