Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in London on Thursday to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, part of a diplomatic push to shape the agenda ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The meeting, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. local time (0830 GMT) at 10 Downing Street, follows Zelenskiy’s visit to Germany on Wednesday, where he joined a virtual conference hosted by Berlin with European leaders and Trump. The discussions aimed to set clear red lines before the Alaska summit on ending the war in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Zelenskiy told Trump during the call that Putin was “bluffing” about his willingness to end the war. Trump, in turn, warned of “severe consequences” if Putin fails to agree to peace, though he did not specify the measures. He has previously threatened economic sanctions should Friday’s meeting yield no progress.

Building Momentum Before Alaska
The outcome of Wednesday’s video talks — which also involved Britain, France and Germany, co-chairs of the “Coalition of the Willing” — could bolster Kyiv’s position going into the summit. In a joint statement, the coalition set out its pathway toward a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walks to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, in London, Britain, August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

As reported in Reuters, Trump described his upcoming meeting with Putin as an effort to “set the table” for a swift follow-up session involving both leaders and Zelenskiy. “If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one,” Trump said, adding he would like it to take place “almost immediately.”