London – The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday while he continued diplomatic maneuvers before Friday’s summit between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Zelensky’s visit to London followed his trip to Berlin, Germany, where Wednesday met with European leaders, and spoke virtually with Trump, to expel Ukraine’s key demands in any peace negotiation to end the large -scale invasion of Moscow, which began in February 2022.
Kyiv established five key demands. Ukraine will not participate in peace conversations without a high previous fire, Ukraine must participate in the negotiations and Ukraine will make the decision on any territorial concession with discussions that begin from the current frontline lines.
Kyiv has also said that he needs solid security guarantees, with the participation of the United States, to accept any agreement, and that more sanctions and pressure on Russia should be exercised if the Alaska Summit is not successful.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaves a joint press release with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Germany, on August 13, 2025.
EBRAHIM NOROOZI/AP
Zelenskyy and his European sponsors said Trump agreed the negotiation scheme.
Trump himself even warned Putin of “very severe consequences” in case Moscow does not agree with a high fire. Trump did not explain what those consequences would be. When asked if they would include sanctions or rates, Trump only said he didn’t have to say it.
The president said that the call with Zelenskyy was “very friendly” and suggested that a second summit could be possible to gather Ukrainian and Russian leaders.
Zelenskyy said he advised Trump and other leaders that Putin is “slaughtering” when looking for peace.
“Putin definitely does not want peace,” Zelenskyy said. “He wants the occupation of our country. And we all really understand that. Putin will not be able to deceive anyone. We need more pressure for peace. Not only US sanctions, but also European.”
“We talked about the meeting in Alaska,” Zelenskyy added. “We hope that the central theme of the meeting is a high fire. A high immediate fire.”
“The president of the United States has repeatedly said this,” Zelenskyy continued. “He suggested that after the meeting in Alaska we will have contact. And we will discuss all the results, if any. And we will determine the next mutual steps.”
Meanwhile, unmanned aircraft attacks and long -range missiles continued during the night until Thursday.
The Ukraine Air Force said that Russia launched 45 drones and two missiles to the country during the night, of which 24 drones were demolished or suppressed. Twenty -one drones affected in 12 locations, said the Air Force.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said its forces knocked down 52 Ukrainian drones during the night until Thursday.
Patrick Revelel’s contribution, Hannah Demissie and Michelle Stoddart of ABC News to this report.
