Sir Keir Starmer will host Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Monday in a hastily arranged summit on the progress of peace talks.
The Prime Minister will be joined in London by Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor.
The trio of European leaders are attempting to ensure Ukraine is not “betrayed” during the US-led peace process with Russia, a possibility Mr Macron alluded to in a leaked phone call earlier this week.
The meeting comes as top Ukrainian officials have been holding talks in Miami with Mr Trump’s chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
A 28-point peace plan co-authored by the US and Russia called on Ukraine to surrender territory in the eastern Donbas region that has not been conquered by Moscow and accept limits on the size of its armed forces.
The plan provoked furious objections in Kyiv and Europe, who together lobbied for a watered-down 20-point alternative that was presented to Vladimir Putin last week.
The Russian president however refused to countenance any agreement that does not include Moscow gaining the rest of Donetsk province, leaving talks once more at an impasse.
On Saturday, Mr Zelensky said he had held a “long and substantive” phone call with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner.
Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have little faith in Mr Witkoff to represent their position, a sore exacerbated by the leak of a phone call in which he coached Russia’s negotiators in how to appeal to Mr Trump.
Mr Zelensky said that, during the call, “we… went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full-scale invasion”.
That appeared to be a reference to the question of US security guarantees. In the original 28-point plan, the US committed to “reliable” guarantees but did not specify what those would involve.
Kyiv has called for an unquestionable commitment for the US to respond militarily if Russia breaks any peace deal, as it has on several previous occasions.
In the leaked call that took place last week, European leaders warned Mr Zelensky that the US might now push for a quick, dirty deal with Moscow that would leave Ukraine exposed.
“You need to be extremely careful in the coming days,” Mr Merz told the Ukrainian president. The US might “betray Ukraine on the question of territory”, added Mr Macron.
The European leaders primary fear is that Mr Trump will turn decisively against Mr Zelensky, forcing him to withdraw troops from the Donbas without serious security guarantees.
In a worst-case scenario, the president could stop US weapons from being used by Ukraine and block intelligence-sharing, a Western European official told Bloomberg.
The news agency reported that the UK “in particular” holds out hope that Mr Trump could yet turn against Russia once again, should Putin reject the next US-proposed deal.
In a boost to Kyiv’s hopes of maintaining US support, a joint statement from the talks in Miami agreed that any end to the war ultimately depends on “Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace”.
However, the Downing Street summit comes just days after the White House released a National Security Strategy in which it accused European officials of holding “unrealistic expectations for the war” and working to block a deal with Russia against the wishes of a “majority” of the population.
Ukraine is facing a series of setbacks on the battlefield as shortages of manpower, weaponry and funding begin to bite.
On Friday night, Russia launched a “massive” aerial bombardment on Ukraine, including 653 drones and 51 missiles.
Also on Friday, the elite Ukrainian Air Assault Forces who have led the defence of Pokrovsk denied that Russia had encircled the city, along with its neighbour Myrnohrad.
Moscow is expected to capture the cities in Donetsk region after 18 months of gruelling warfare, in what would be a symbolic victory for Putin’s army.
06:36pm
Thank you for following today’s coverage
Here are the key moments:
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Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant temporarily loses all off-site power overnight
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Kadyrov threatens ‘stern response’ to Chechnya strike
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Macron to travel to London for meeting with Zelensky, Starmer and Merz on Monday
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Nato scrambles fighter jets after barrage of 653 Russian drones and 51 missiles across Ukraine
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Zelensky and Witkoff have ‘focused, constructive’ phone call as part of ongoing US-brokered peace talks
04:51pm
Zelensky and Witkoff have ‘focused, constructive’ phone call
Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “focused and constructive” discussion with Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, as part of ongoing US-brokered peace talks.
The Ukrainian president praised the “long and substantive phone call” he had with Ukrainian delegations in Miami and his US counterparts in a post on social media.
He said: “We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full scale invasion, as well as the risk of Russia failing to honour its promises, as has happened repeatedly in the past.
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace. We agreed on the next steps and formats for talks with the United States. I thank President Trump for such an intensive approach to negotiations.”
04:46pm
Four leader reunite for first time in six months
Monday’s meeting in London will mark the first time that Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz have been altogether since they met in Kyiv in May.
The meeting acted as a show of unity, with the three Coalition of the Willing leaders calling on Vladimir Putin to accept a full ceasefire for 30 days and threatening sanctions if he refused.
From L to R: Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz meet in Kyiv in May 2025 – Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty Images
04:04pm
In pictures: Ukraine today
A soldier stands to attention during a commemoration ceremony at the Lychakiv Cemetery marking the Armed Forces Day in Lviv – Olena Znak/Anadolu via Getty Images
Employees walk through the rubble of Fastiv railway station building after it was hit during an overnight Russian strike – REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
A firefighter extinguishes a blaze at a site of an air attack in the Kyiv region – AFP PHOTO / State Emergency Service of Ukraine
04:00pm
Watch: Ukraine strikes Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery
Credit: Telegram/@exilenova_plus
04:00pm
Nato scrambles fighter jets as Russia strikes Ukraine’s west
Nato fighter jets were scrambled overnight in response to a “massive” Russian attack on western Ukraine.
Poland’s armed forces announced that military aircraft had been rapidly launched and air-defence systems put on alert following a barrage of 653 Russian drones and 51 missiles across Ukraine, including on the Lviv region.
The Polish fighter jets were stood down after around four hours and no air space violations were observed, Warsaw confirmed.
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces launched the “massive strike” in response to what it called Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets.
The attack comes as Ukrainian and US officials hold a third straight day of talks in Miami in the hopes of negotiating a pathway to peace. Vladimir Putin rejected a US proposal earlier this week, demanding more concessions from Kyiv.
03:25pm
Macron: I will meet Zelensky, Starmer and Merz on Monday
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has confirmed that he will travel to London to meet with his Ukrainian, British and German counterparts on Monday.
Mr Macron made the comments just a moment ago and we are awaiting more details on the meeting between himself Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz.
03:21pm
Peace talks progress ‘depends on Russia’, says US
Any progress towards an agreement to end the Ukraine war ultimately depends on “Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace”, a statement from Washington and Kyiv’s delegations said.
The comments came following talks between Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy; Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, and a Ukrainian delegation after they met in Miami.
They offered only broad brushstrokes about the progress they say has been made as Donald Trump pushes Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a US-mediated proposal to end the war, before adding that “real progress” still lies in the hands of Russia.
02:53pm
Russian Ryazan oil refinery attack confirmed
Ukraine’s military confirmed on Saturday that Ukrainian forces had hit the Russian Ryazan oil refinery as well as a shell-casing manufacturing plant.
The military said the refinery and the shell-casing manufacturing plant located in Alchevsk in the occupied Luhansk region were attacked early on Saturday, but provided no further details of the strike.
02:05pm
German, Spanish, Czech and Dutch forces involved in Nato response
The German, Spanish, Czech and Dutch forces were all involved in Nato’s response to Russia’s overnight drone attack.
Alongside Poland’s Armed Forces, which scrambled fighter jets on Saturday after a barrage of Russian missiles drew close to its border with Ukraine, several other allied nations also readied themselves for a possible airspace breach.
Warsaw’s forces confirmed that Spanish and Czech air forces were involved in the response, while German and Dutch air-defence systems were also placed on alert.
Poland’s command was eventually stood down after four hours with no airspace violation reported.
01:35pm
Russia launched aircraft capable of firing hypersonic missiles
Russia launched aircraft capable of firing hypersonic missiles during its “massive” attack on Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported.
Several monitoring channels reportedly said jets equipped to carry the air-launched Kinzhal were sighted during the overnight raid.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said in 2018 that the development of Kinzhal missiles marked a new era of “hypersonic” weapons that could overcome all existing air defence systems.
But the claim has come under fire in the years since, with Ukraine using a US-supplied Patriot system to down one of the missiles in May 2023 and intercepting a further six just 12 days later.
The missile carries a 1,000-pound warhead, which it can deliver from a distance of 300 miles.
01:10pm
Russia used ballistic missiles in overnight attack
Russia deployed 17 ballistic missiles against nationwide targets in its attack overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Moscow’s forces also used 653 Shahed-type attack drones and 36 cruise missiles in the barrage, launching them in waves and hitting 29 locations across Ukraine.
Russia has ramped up its attacks on Ukraine as the weather turns colder in an effort to take out key energy infrastructure and hamper Kyiv’s war effort during the winter months.
12:40pm Pictures
In pictures: Russia’s overnight barrage
Emergency responders work at the site of a warehouse that was struck during a night of Russian missile and drone strikes – REUTERS/Thomas Peter
An unmanned firefighting robot extinguishes a fire at a site of an air attack in the Kyiv region – AFP PHOTO / State Emergency Service of Ukraine
12:32pm
Kadyrov threatens ‘stern response’ to strike on Chechen capital
Ramzan Kadyrov, the regional leader of Chechnya, has threatened to unleash a “stern response” on Ukraine after an alleged drone strike on a building near his residence.
Writing on Telegram, Mr Kadyrov said: “Starting from tomorrow and in the course of the week, the Ukrainian fascists will be feeling a stern response.”
“Except, unlike them, we will not be making a cowardly strike on peaceful targets.”
Videos on Telegram showed fire and smoke coming from the 28-storey Business Center building in Grozny, the Chechen capital. No casualties were reported.
The high-rise building is reportedly situated around 830 metres from Mr Kadyrov’s residence, reports news outlet Agentstvo.
Ukrainian attacks have previously hit a number of sites in Chechnya, including a police barracks and a military training academy.
Mr Kadyrov is a strong supporter of Vladimir Putin’s campaign in Ukraine and has contributed Chechen forces to the invasion.
Credit: Telegram/@ButusovPlus
12:22pm
Ukraine ‘strikes Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery’
Ukraine launched its own attack on Russia overnight, reportedly striking the Ryazan oil refinery, which provides fuel to Moscow’s army.
Sources on Telegram claim the refinery’s low-temperature isomerisation unit was struck but say that the extent of the damage is still to be clarified.
Pavel Malkov, the Ryazan governor, confirmed an attack had been carried out on the said the city and that the Voronezh region had also been struck.
He said the raid sparked a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building, adding that drone debris fell into the grounds of “an industrial facility”.
12:13pm
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant loses all power
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power overnight, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday.
The nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, has been under Russian control since March 2022, when Russian forces overran much of southeastern Ukraine.
It is not currently producing electricity but relies on external power to keep the nuclear material cool and avoid a meltdown.
It marks the eleventh time the plant has been shut off in the course of the war, according to the IAEA.
The agency added that the plant reconnected to the 330 kV power line after a 30-minute outage but that the 750 kV line was still disconnected.
12:11pm Video
Russia strikes regional centre in Lutsk
Firefighters tackled a large in Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, after Russian drones and missiles struck several food warehouses.
It was reported that several parts of the city were also left without electricity as a result of the barrage.
Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
12:03pm
US continues attempts to broker peace
The US has continued its attempts to broker peace between the two nations but without any current sign of a breakthrough.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s national security advisor, and Gen. Andrii Hnatov, the Ukrainian military chief, met with Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, and Jared Kushner, the presidential senior advisor, for two hours on Thursday evening.
The talks come after Mr Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, earlier this week.
It was reported that the US special envoy and Mr Kushner briefed the Ukrainian delegation on the content of the meeting with the Russians.
A US official told Axios that the US-Ukrainian talks had been “positive” but there is yet to be any firm steps decided on a peace plan, with Putin rejecting a US proposal earlier this week and demanding further concessions from Kyiv.
11:36am
Eight wounded in overnight strikes
At least eight people were wounded in the widespread attacks, Ihor Klymenkom, the Ukrainian minister of internal affairs, said.
Among these, at least three people were injured in the Kyiv region, according to local officials.
The barrage comes as Ukraine marks its Armed Forces Day, with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, releasing a statement praising those who had fought to “destroy the occupiers”.
In a post reaffirming Ukraine’s fight for independence, he said: “In Europe and the United States. On the streets of Berlin and Paris, in Czechia, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Baltic states. Everywhere, everywhere, where people speak different languages, but freedom sounds the same.
“Where blue and yellow are known as the colors of courage. Where it is acknowledged: in this war for independence, Ukraine – the state – has won its right to live. And it has deserved a just peace.”
11:24am
Nuclear plants forced to cut output after strikes
This latest drone and missile barrage is one of the largest Russia has launched in weeks.
The raid damaged power facilities across eight Ukrainian regions, forcing nuclear power plants to cut their output and causing widespread blackouts, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported.
The plants are responsible for producing more than half of the country’s electricity, according to the IAEA.
Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralised 585 of the 653 drones launched on Saturday, as well as 30 of the 51 missiles, its air force said.
But some 29 locations were still struck in the attack, including a railway hub in the city of Fastiv.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said the train station, in the Kyiv region, had been all but “burned down” in the barrage.
Firefighters tackle blaze at a railway station in the city of Fastiv – REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
