Despite assurances from US officials that Ukraine is part of the talks, Kyiv has not been formally invited to the meetings between America and Russia in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the war. This news comes as European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, prepare to meet in France for a crisis summit, following Donald Trump's announcement of peace talks with Russia, which sparked concerns about Ukraine potentially ceding territory. Meanwhile, the UK has strongly defended its stance on abortion rights after US Vice President JD Vance criticized Britain's treatment of religious freedom.
Ukraine has reportedly not been invited to talks between America and Russia aimed at ending the war. The White House’s Middle East envoy Steve Witco said he and national security adviser Mike Waltz were last night heading to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Moscow chiefs within days. He insisted “Ukraine is part of the talks” but gave no clarity on whether Kyiv officials would be at the meetings in Riyadh.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned he will not accept any deal made without his nation’s involvement. It comes as European leaders prepare to gather in France today for a crisis summit after Donald Trump last week announced he would open talks on a peace deal, amid fears it would involve Ukraine giving up land occupied by Russia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be among those at the meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte will also attend. Mr Starmer will seek to persuade the US president to involve Europe in Ukraine peace talks, amid deepening tensions over security on the continent, and to ditch the threat of trade tariffs when he meets him in Washington next week. UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said yesterday: “We all want the war to end. It’s clear for that to be a durable peace, Ukraine has to be at the table, be part of that agreement. We believe Ukraine is on an irreversible path to Nato membership.” Former Tory PM Sir John Major warned if a peace deal allowed Vladimir Putin to retain control of Ukrainian territory, it would embolden despots everywhere and make the globe “more dangerous”. He said: “Consider what happens if Russia claim a win. China will notice, and so will every tin-pot dictator around the world.” Mr Reynolds also hit back at US Vice President JD Vance over his attack on the UK last week, when he claimed “basic liberties of religious Britons” were under threat. He was referring to a case where a former soldier was convicted of breaching an abortion clinic safe zone. Mr Reynolds said being able to access health services safely was “an important British value too”. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed Israel’s aim of “eradicating” Hamas on a visit to Jerusalem to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday.
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