Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine, claims Trump envoy

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing” with Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of crunch talks in Washington on Monday with Donald Trump.

Leaders praised Mr Zelensky’s “just and lasting peace” vision and reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine. They also welcomed Mr Trump’s stated commitment to providing “security guarantees” through a proposed Multinational Force Ukraine.

The coalition pledged readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities cease, as well as efforts to secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and rebuild its armed forces.

Fears remain that Mr Trump could push Ukraine into territorial concessions after his Friday meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Reports suggest Mr Putin is demanding full control of Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for partial troop withdrawals.

American officials played down concerns. US secretary of state Marco Rubio warned Moscow would face “additional consequences” if no peace deal emerges, while Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claimed Russia had, for the first time, agreed to Nato-like protection for Ukraine.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said either a ceasefire or peace deal would “stop the killing”. Mr Zelensky agreed but stressed the outcome must deliver a “lasting peace” and prevent “just a pause” in the war.

European leaders including Mr Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Ms von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte will travel with Sir Keir to Washington for Monday’s Oval Office meeting.

Poland: Foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said peace can only come if “pressure is placed on the aggressor, not the victim,” stressing the need to maintain pressure on Russia.

European Council: President Antonio Costa said “transatlantic unity is paramount” for peace. He warned that if no ceasefire is reached, the EU and US must increase pressure on Moscow, and welcomed Washington’s readiness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

Czech Republic: Prime minister Petr Fiala said leaders agreed the immediate priority must be to “bring an end to the killing,” with clear US and European security guarantees for Ukraine “absolutely essential” for further negotiations.

Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “very useful,” calling the US decision to join in providing security guarantees a “historic decision.” He said peace must be “fair, swift, and effective.”

Ireland: Taoiseach Micheal Martin reiterated that borders cannot be changed by force and said Ireland will “steadfastly support Ukraine.” He said sanctions will be reinforced if Russia continues its war and stressed the need for long-term security guarantees.

France: President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s plan was to “present a united front” alongside Ukraine in Washington. He warned that showing weakness towards Russia would “lay the ground for future conflicts.”

Their previous Oval Office meeting in February ended in a dramatic confrontation.

A planned mineral deal signing ceremony collapsed as Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Mr Zelensky of being “ungrateful” and “gambling with World War III”.

Mr Zelensky pushed back, insisting there could be “no compromises with a killer” – a reference to Mr Putin.

The meeting was cut short, the joint press conference cancelled, and Mr Trump declared afterwards that Zelensky could “come back when he is ready for peace”, and temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HRU) has said that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military column in the Kursk region overnight.

The strike reportedly seriously injured Lieutenant General Abachev, deputy commander of Russia’s North Group of Forces.

He was urgently flown to Moscow’s Vishnevsky Central Clinical Hospital by military transport aircraft, according to the HRU, where he underwent amputation of an arm and a leg as a result of his injuries.

European leaders confirmed to be attending include:

Sir Keir Starmer, UK prime minister Emmanuel Macron, French president Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor Alexander Stubb, President of Finland Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission Mark Rutte, Nato Secretary General Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister

The Ukrainian president will travel with a strong backing after participating in a coalition call on Sunday afternoon, hosted by the UK, France, and Germany.

The so-called “coalition of the willing” aims to provide security guarantees, including policing any future peace deal with troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron praised Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire for a “just and lasting peace”, as the leaders prepare for talks in Washington with Donald Trump amid worries of a Russian land grab.

Giving a readout of the coalition of the willing call, a No 10 spokesman said: “President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer today co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘coalition of the willing’ leaders with the participation of President Zelensky.

“Leaders convened to discuss support for Ukraine and next steps in peace negotiations following President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.

“The leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelensky’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.

“The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the coalition of the willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.

“They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.

“The President and Prime Minister also informed leaders that they would travel to Washington DC tomorrow for a meeting with President Trump, alongside President Zelensky.”