Before Trump-Putin summit in Alaska: Zelensky in London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to London. Both politicians embraced warmly. A red carpet was rolled out in front of the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street.

Starmer: Alaska summit extremely important

Starmer had previously outlined the position of the European allies in light of the summit between the US and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin . The summit in the US state of Alaska on Friday was "extremely important" and could be a "realistic" path to a ceasefire in Ukraine , Starmer said.

The British Prime Minister also mentioned Europe's concerns that Trump could reach an agreement that would force Ukraine to cede territory to Russia . In this context, Starmer warned that Western allies must be prepared to increase pressure on the Kremlin in Moscow if necessary.

On Wednesday, the heads of state and government of the countries participating in the so-called Coalition of the Willing—that is, those states prepared to oversee a future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv—connected for a telephone call. Starmer emphasized that any agreement to end the fighting must protect Ukraine's territorial integrity. International borders cannot and must not be altered by force.

Zelenskyy was in Berlin on Wednesday at the invitation of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz . Both, along with other European heads of state and government, discussed Trump's planned meeting with Putin during a video conference with him. Concerned that the two presidents might make decisions over the heads of Ukraine and its Western allies, Merz had invited them to a series of video conferences.

Trump: very good conversation

Trump subsequently expressed his satisfaction with the virtual meeting with the Europeans, saying it was a "very good" conversation. He also hinted at a possible second meeting with Putin in the near future, in which Zelenskyy could also participate: "If the first one goes well, we'll have a quick second one," Trump said.

The US President also once again threatened Russia with "very serious consequences" if the Russian attacks on Ukraine do not end. These attacks have intensified again in recent days.

NATO thanks Germany

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked Germany for co-financing a US arms package for Ukraine. Wednesday's announcement once again underscores Berlin's willingness "to assist the Ukrainian people in defending their freedom and sovereignty," Rutte wrote on the online service X. Germany is the largest European provider of military aid to Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General said.

The Federal Ministry of Defense and the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin announced on Wednesday that Germany would contribute up to $500 million (almost €430 million) to a support package for Ukraine, for which a new NATO mechanism has been established. The alliance is coordinating the delivery of weapons procured from the United States.

The two ministries referred to President Trump's July announcement that the United States would supply Ukraine with military equipment and ammunition. These weapons would be financed by European partners and Canada.

se/AR (rtr, ap, dpa, afp)