Marta Gichko09:26, 23.04.25

Germany and France followed the US in canceling visits by their top diplomats to the British capital.

Talks between the foreign ministers of the UK, US, France, Germany and Ukraine scheduled for London have been cancelled. Instead, bilateral talks between the top diplomats of Ukraine and the UK will take place, Sky News reports.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga will remain in London for a bilateral meeting with David Lemmy. Following the refusal of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to fly to London, similar decisions were made by the foreign ministers of France and Germany.

According to media reports, Rubio refused to fly to London after Volodymyr Zelensky rejected one of the main points of Trump’s plan to end the war. This is about recognizing the annexation of Crimea. The plan also provides for freezing the front line. In return, Ukraine’s allies expect security guarantees and participation in post-war reconstruction.

Putin, according to the Financial Times, agreed to halt the offensive along the current front line, leaving 20% ​​of Ukraine’s territory under Russian control.

Trump has warned that he will withdraw from the talks as a mediator if the parties complicate the process. Rubio has threatened to withdraw the US from the dialogue if there is no progress within a few days.

Instead of a visit, Rubio had a phone conversation with Lemmy, which he called “productive”:  

“The UK is working with the US, Ukraine and Europe for peace and to stop Putin’s illegal invasion.”

Rubio confirmed his readiness for further technical meetings:  

“Our team looks forward to meaningful and good technical meetings with Ukrainian and British colleagues… and postponing my trip to the UK for the coming months.”

Britain and France are pushing the idea of ​​a “coalition of the willing” for a post-ceasefire peacekeeping mission, but experts doubt the plan is realistic without the US.

(c)UNIAN 2025