Ukraine is at a “turning point” as Vladimir Zelensky prepares to visit London to negotiate peace proposals, a senior UK minister has said.
The Ukrainian president will meet Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Monday, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Their meeting comes as talks continue between Ukrainian and US officials over a Washington-backed plan to end the war.
On Sunday, Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden said Ukraine's security and self-determination would be “at the heart” of the leaders' discussions.
He told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “The principle of the negotiations will be that Ukraine can decide its own future.
“This is really a key moment now. Everyone wants the war to end, but they want it to end in a way that gives Ukraine freedom of choice in the future.
“So this means not just an end to the war, but also guarantees for the security of Ukraine in the future, rather than a completely toothless organization that is incapable of deciding its own future.”
The UK has consistently insisted that any peace deal must include security guarantees for Ukraine, both from the US and in the form of a UK-French-led “coalition of the willing”.
Last month, Sir Keir called on coalition leaders to renew their commitment to a potential peacekeeping force that could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
But Russia has repeatedly rejected the prospect of allied troops in Ukraine and continues to demand large swathes of Ukrainian territory in exchange for peace.
Monday's meeting also followed days of talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials as the White House pushes Kyiv to accept the deal.
Florida negotiators acknowledged that any “real progress” would depend “on Russia's willingness to demonstrate a serious commitment to long-term peace.”
On Sunday Mr McFadden said Ukraine could count on the UK's “strong solidarity” and stressed that any settlement should not “reward Russian aggression”.
