Zelensky warns over Putin's intentions ahead of summit

Ukrainian president claims Russia 'doesn't want peace'

- HOLLY EVANS

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Donald Trump and European leaders that Vladimir Putin is “bluffing” over his intentions to end the war in Ukraine, ahead of a crucial summit between the US and Russia tomorrow.

The Ukrainian president reiterated that there can be no talk of territorial concessions without his country's involvement, as both he and other world leaders are sidelined from the historic meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

Mr Trump said there will be “very severe consequences” if the Russian president does not agree to end the war after the summit.

Sir Keir Starmer said - following a virtual conference with Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump, German chancellor Friedrich Merz and French president Emmanuel Macron - a “viable” chance of reaching a ceasefire in the Ukraine war now exists, but Britain stands ready to “increase pressure” on Moscow if necessary.

Sir Keir added that “there should be no decisions about the future of Ukraine without Ukraine”. It comes as a report in The Times suggests Russia and the US have discussed the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as a potential model for a future settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.