UK, Ukraine 'agree strong resolve' for peace ahead of Alaska talks

London [UK], August 15: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have said there is ""strong resolve" for peace in Ukraine and a viable chance of a ceasefire, ahead of highly anticipated talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
The two leaders expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a truce "as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious" about ending the war, as they met on Wednesday, a statement issued by Starmer's office said.
In a separate statement, Zelensky said there had been discussions about the security guarantees required to make any deal "truly durable if the United States succeeds in pressing Russia to stop the killing".
Starmer hosted the Ukrainian president for a private breakfast in No 10 Downing Street, his official residence, on Thursday as Europe braces for the face-to-face meeting between the US president and his Russian counterpart in Alaska on Friday.
In a readout of the morning meeting between Starmer and Zelensky, a Downing Street spokesman said: "They had a private breakfast, where they discussed yesterday's meetings.
"They agreed there had been a powerful sense of unity and a strong resolve to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine." (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune