- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Downing Street on Thursday, affirming their “strong resolve” to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
- It comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.
- Downing Street said both Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky agreed that the Alaska talks “present a viable chance to make progress as long as [Mr] Putin takes action to prove he is serious about peace”.
- However, there are concerns that the US and Russia might attempt to decide the war's conclusion without Ukraine's direct participation.
- Mr Trump has warned of "severe consequences" if the Russian leader does not agree to peace, while Mr Putin has hinted at discussions on nuclear arms control.
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