U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin “could be the first step” toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine, according to Defence Secretary John Healey.
Healey further stated that the UK is prepared to “put boots on the ground” in Ukraine to bolster a ceasefire, should one be agreed upon.
However, the Defence Secretary also affirmed the government’s readiness to “step up economic sanctions and pressure on Putin if he demonstrates in Alaska that he is not genuinely serious about de-escalation.”
President Trump has characterized the summit, scheduled to commence at 20:00 BST, as an initial “feel-out meeting,” outlining his objective to “set the table” for a subsequent meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and President Putin.
Trump expressed his belief that the Russian president is “not going to mess around with me.”
He also indicated a 25% possibility that the meeting would “not be successful.”
Prior to departing Washington D.C. for the talks, the U.S. President posted on social media: “HIGH STAKES!!!!”
In response, President Zelensky stated that the discussions should “open up a real path toward a just peace.”
“We are counting on America,” he added.
President Trump aims to bring an end to the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides.
The U.S. President has stated that any resolution would necessitate a “give and take” regarding territorial boundaries between the two nations.
Ukraine has maintained that ceding territory is unacceptable, while Russia seeks to retain control over seized land, including Crimea, and demands assurances that Ukraine will not join the NATO military alliance.
Similar to President Zelensky, European leaders were not invited to the meeting in Alaska, but sought to influence the U.S. President through a joint phone call on Wednesday.
When asked on BBC Breakfast whether the UK’s role was to “watch and wait,” Secretary Healey responded: “No, the UK’s role is to stand with Ukraine on the battlefield and in the negotiations, and prepare as we have been, leading 30 other nations with military planning for a ceasefire and a secure peace through what we call the coalition of the willing.”
The coalition of the willing comprises approximately 30 predominantly European countries that have pledged to uphold a peace agreement in Ukraine.
Healey stated that over 200 military planners from the coalition have been working for the past few months, “conducting detailed planning for the point of a ceasefire.”
He affirmed that multi-national forces are “ready to act from day one,” adding: “The military plans are complete.”
“We are ready to put UK boots on the ground in Ukraine in part to reassure Ukrainians.”
“But also in part to secure the safe skies, safe seas and to build the strength of the Ukrainian forces, because in the end the best deterrence against Russia… re-launching their aggression against Ukraine is the strength of Ukraine to stand for itself.”
When questioned about the potential consequences of a Russian attack on British troops in Ukraine, Healey declined to discuss hypothetical scenarios.
However, he emphasized that there are “important principles” and that British forces would have “the right to defend themselves if attacked.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has expressed his “scepticism” regarding President Trump’s capacity to achieve a “positive outcome” for Ukraine.
He told reporters: “I do hope there’s a positive outcome, that we want peace, and Ukraine gets the justice it deserves.”
“But I’m not very hopeful that will happen, I’m sceptical about Donald Trump’s ability to bring that back.”
“And ultimately the problem is Ukraine is not at the table, you can’t have another country negotiating for another country. It’s Ukraine who should make the decision about what’s acceptable to Ukrainians.”
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