Ukraine-Russia war latest: Defiant Zelensky ‘will not give up land’ for peace as Trump to meet Putin in Alaska

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with the Prime Minister Estonia.

They agreed “that security decisions for Ukraine matter for everyone in Europe,” he said in a post on X.

It comes after a talk with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on “decisions that can work”.

This toxic relationship is weird and dangerous for the West. World affairs editor Sam Kiley explains why:

Trump is set to meet Putin on Friday 15 August. But does that mean Ukraine is not invited?

A senior White House official has told CBS News that the planning is still fluid, and it’s still possible that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky could be involved in some way.

Earlier this week the white house said the president was open to meeting with both Putin and Zelensky.

According to CBS News Trump suggested he may start by just meeting Putin, but added he “have a shot”

The US president suggested on Friday he may start by just meeting Putin and also said “we have a shot at” organising a trilateral meeting with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.

Russia claims it has captured a town in eastern Ukraine, according to Moscow’s Ministry of Defence.

It said in a statement its troops took control of Yablunivka, in Donetsk.

However, progress on the front in the east of the country has largely been slow.

The UK is set to host key National Security Advisors, including from the US, Ukraine and European partners today.

The summit will be hosted by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US vice president JD Vance.

The meeting, at the request of the US, will discuss next steps on Trump’s push for peace in Ukraine, including how allies can support a just and lasting peace. Talks are expected to last the day in Kent.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and welcomed President Trump’s desire to bring the war to an end.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:“The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine this morning.

“They looked ahead to the meeting of National Security Advisers from Europe, Ukraine and the United States taking place today, hosted by the UK Foreign Secretary and US Vice President.

“They agreed this would be a vital forum to discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace.

“Both leaders welcomed President Trump’s desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and agreed that we must keep up the pressure on Putin to end his illegal war.

“The Prime Minister ended the call by reiterating his unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.”

This is “how Russia want’s peace”, President’s Office Head Andriy Yermak said in response to a drone strike on a minibus.

Two people died and 16 were wounded today when a Russian drone hit a minibus in the suburbs of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the local military administration reported.

“This is how Russia ‘wants peace.’ An attack on a civilian bus in the suburbs of Kherson, where Russians hunt civilians every day,” President’s Office Head Andriy Yermak said.

“Russians are fooling everyone around them, pretending that they are ready to stop the war, but doing nothing to achieve this goal,” Yermak added.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on “decisions that can work”.

“I am grateful for the support. We share the same view on the need for a truly lasting peace for Ukraine and on the danger of Russia’s plan to reduce everything to discussing the impossible,” Zelensky said in a post on X.

He added: “We are actively working for constructive diplomacy and to ensure that the decisions can work. We agreed on further contacts.”

Zelenskiy has made a flurry of calls over the past several days with Kyiv’s allies after President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow and announcement of a planned meeting on August 15 between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.