U.S. Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy convened a gathering of security officials close to London to talk about the conflict in Ukraine.
The discussions are reported to have been initiated at the request of the US.
Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers accompanied the duo, with Lammy stating the "UK's backing for Ukraine is unwavering as we strive for a fair and enduring peace."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that he will not concede any territory to Russia before a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week.
The meeting on Saturday took place at Chevening, Lammy's official country home in Kent, where Vance and his family are currently residing.
Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, and Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky's office, participated in the discussions alongside representatives from the UK, US, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the meeting and stated that they concurred it would serve as a "crucial platform" to talk about advancements toward peace.
Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet on 15 August to talk about the war's future.
Trump indicated that Ukraine might need to relinquish land to resolve the conflict that started with Russia's large-scale invasion in February 2022.
Discussing a possible peace agreement, Trump stated on Friday that there "will be some exchange of territories, benefiting both sides."
"You’re observing land that has been contested for three and a half years, with many Russians losing their lives." "Many Ukrainians have lost their lives," he stated.
Late Saturday night, a group of European leaders released a unified statement reiterating their backing of Ukraine and emphasizing that it should participate in all peace negotiations.
"The way to achieve peace in Ukraine cannot be determined without Ukraine," stated the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"Ukraine possesses the liberty to decide its own future."
They stated that "force should not be used to alter international borders" and that their countries would persist in providing Ukraine with diplomatic, military, and financial support.
Russia has persistently demanded that Ukraine acknowledge Russian control over multiple Ukrainian territories, accept demilitarization, and relinquish its NATO goals.
Trump has also consistently advocated for Ukraine giving up territory for peace.
Zelensky has been cautious not to disparage Trump, yet his social media post clearly indicates his refusal to accept it.
On Saturday morning, he stated in a Telegram message, "Ukrainians will not surrender their land to the occupier," and emphasized that Ukraine needs to be part of any peace solution.
"We are prepared, alongside President Trump and all partners, to strive for authentic, and most crucially, enduring peace - a peace that will not fall apart due to Moscow's desires."
During his Saturday evening speech, Zelensky noted that the gathering in the UK was productive.
"The route to peace for Ukraine must be established collectively and solely in collaboration with Ukraine; this is a fundamental principle," he stated.
This is what Ukraine, along with numerous European allies, has consistently feared - Trump and Putin attempting to negotiate a deal without Ukraine involved.
In a Saturday post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the future of Ukraine cannot "be determined without the Ukrainians" and cautioned that "Europeans will inevitably play a role in the solution, as their own security is at risk."
Trump's statements regarding Russia may have become firmer in recent months, but Ukraine has not yet seen any concrete actions resulting from them.
On Friday, a deadline established by the US president for Russia to accept a ceasefire or encounter additional sanctions passed without noticeable repercussions.
CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported, referencing a high-ranking White House official, that there is still a possibility Zelensky could be included in some capacity in the meeting between Putin and Trump, as preparations for the Friday meeting continue to evolve.
On the ground, there is an acceptance that any early peace negotiations might not involve Ukraine.
Military personnel and civilians interviewed by the BBC conveyed a deep yearning for peace. Fatigue results from the ongoing battles and Russian missile and drone strikes.
However, there is minimal proof that Ukraine is ready to agree to a peace settlement at any cost, let alone one that would be imposed without considering its perspective.
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