UPDATE - London peace talks proceed with ministerial-level Ukrainian team

UPDATES WITH CONFIRMATION OF UKRAINIAN PARTICIPATION AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL, CHANGE IN HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Ahmet Gencturk and Alperen Aktas

ATHENS / ISTANBUL - Peace talks on Ukraine continued in London on Wednesday with official confirmation that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak participated.

“Arrived in London together with @AndriyYermak and @rustem_umerov for a day of meetings with our partners as we work to achieve a fair and lasting peace for Ukraine and all of Europe,” Sybiha wrote on X.

He said the delegation’s first meeting included UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, alongside Umerov.

“We are grateful to the UK for its leadership and support. We will discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine and guarantee long-term peace and security,” he added.

A US-backed peace proposal expected to dominate the talks reportedly includes possible recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and restrictions on Ukraine’s NATO membership — terms Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected on Tuesday.

UK Foreign Secretary Lammy said on X that he had a “productive call” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“The UK is working with the US, Ukraine, and Europe for peace and to put an end to Putin’s illegal invasion,” Lammy wrote. “Talks continue at pace, and officials will meet in London tomorrow. This is a critical moment for Ukraine, Britain, and Euro-Atlantic security.”

Rubio also commented on X, saying he had a “productive conversation” with Lammy.

“Our team is looking forward to substantive and good technical meetings with Ukrainian and UK counterparts. I look forward to following up after the ongoing discussions in London and rescheduling my trip to the UK in the coming months.”