Vice President JD Vance held high-stakes diplomatic discussions with European allies and Ukrainian officials on Saturday. This meeting occurred just days before a significant summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. The talks in the United Kingdom aimed to advance negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has lasted over three years.

A U.S. official indicated that the discussions led by Vance resulted in "significant progress toward President Trump’s goal of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine." The meeting took place at Chevening House, the estate of the UK foreign secretary, in Kent, England. Vance met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and representatives from Ukraine and other European nations.

The upcoming Trump-Putin summit has raised concerns, particularly since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be present. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his worries, stating, "The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now."

In a statement made from the White House on Friday, Trump suggested that discussions to end the war might involve "some swapping of territories." However, Zelensky quickly rejected this idea, asserting that Ukraine “will not give Russia any awards for what it has done” and emphasized that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”

Ukrainian officials, including Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, reiterated the necessity of including Ukraine in any negotiations. Yermak stated, "Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognizing the occupation." He also expressed gratitude to Vance for his involvement in the UK talks.

In an evening address, Zelensky described the discussions in the UK as "constructive" and noted that they were part of an "active day of diplomacy" with several EU allies. He remarked, "All our messages were conveyed. Our arguments are being heard. The risks are being taken into account. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together – and only together – with Ukraine. This is fundamental."

Zelensky emphasized the importance of a unified approach toward achieving genuine peace, which includes a ceasefire and an end to the occupation. He expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to influence the situation, stating, "Ukraine has supported all of President Trump's proposals, starting back in February."

Friday marked the deadline set by Trump for Putin to agree to a ceasefire or face potential "secondary sanctions" against countries purchasing oil from Russia. However, uncertainty remains regarding whether the U.S. will impose new economic penalties on Moscow, especially with the upcoming meeting in Alaska. This summit will be Putin’s first encounter with a major Western leader since the invasion of Ukraine and his first visit to the U.S. in a decade.