LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, a day before a significant U.S.-Russia summit is scheduled to take place in Alaska. The meeting underscores British support for Ukraine amid ongoing concerns about the conflict with Russia.

Zelenskyy and Starmer shared a warm embrace outside Starmer’s offices at 10 Downing Street, but did not make any public statements. After about an hour, Starmer escorted Zelenskyy to his car, where they exchanged another embrace before the Ukrainian president departed.

Zelenskyy’s visit followed virtual discussions he had with U.S. President Donald Trump and several European leaders from Berlin. During those meetings, Trump assured the leaders that he would prioritize efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine during his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage.

Both Zelenskyy and European leaders expressed concerns that the U.S.-Russia summit could overlook their interests, potentially favoring Moscow and jeopardizing Ukraine's security. However, leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron described the video conference with Trump as constructive. Trump warned of "very severe consequences" for Russia if Putin does not agree to halt the war against Ukraine after their meeting.

The Kremlin announced that the Trump-Putin meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. local time. Putin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, indicated that the two leaders would first hold a one-on-one discussion, followed by talks with their respective delegations and a working breakfast.

Starmer emphasized the importance of the Alaska summit, suggesting it could pave the way for a ceasefire. He also raised concerns that any agreement might pressure Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. He stressed that any ceasefire must protect Ukraine's "territorial integrity," stating, "International borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force."

Macron noted that Trump indicated the U.S. would participate in future security guarantees, although NATO would not be involved. This clarification was seen as significant by Macron, who highlighted the need for robust security measures to ensure any peace agreement is lasting.

Despite the high-level discussions, some Ukrainians remain skeptical about the potential for meaningful progress. Oleksandra Kozlova, a 39-year-old digital agency worker in Kyiv, expressed doubt, saying, "I don’t think this round will be decisive. There have already been enough meetings and negotiations promising us, ordinary people, that something will be resolved. Unfortunately, this has not happened."

Anton Vyshniak, a car salesman in Kyiv, emphasized the need to prioritize the lives of military personnel over territorial disputes. He stated, "Borders are borders, but human lives are priceless. Therefore, some principles can be disregarded here."

In the ongoing conflict, Russian strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy region resulted in injuries to civilians, including a 7-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man. In the southern Kherson region, a 16-year-old boy was also injured by Russian artillery fire. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly caused a fire at an oil refinery in Russia's Volgograd region, injuring several civilians.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.