Can Lammy save Ukraine from an American ambush?

US diplomats will arrive in London today not to talk, but to present an ultimatum that favours Russia, writes Sam Kiley

- Sam Kiley

In hosting Ukraine’s president for talks about a “ceasefire” with Russia, with three of America’s biggest diplomatic guns, Britain’s foreign secretary has the awkward task of keeping them on side while ensuring he hasn’t led Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops into an ambush.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has signalled that the US is prepared to walk away from brokering peace talks if there is no breakthrough. He’s bringing his team of negotiators with him – not to talk but to present an ultimatum that favours Russia.

Ukraine will have no choice but to reject proposals to freeze Russian control of the east of the country. Zelensky is likely to be asked (or told) to recognise the Kremlin’s de facto rule over Crimea, agree that Ukraine can never join Nato, and generally to meekly roll under Putin’s tank tracks.

That may explain why the Ukrainian president won’t be in London today.

David Lammy doesn’t want this. Nor do France and Germany, who are also sending their foreign ministers and security advisers to London.