**U.K. Prime Minister Hosts Summit of Ukraine Allies**
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has kicked off an online summit to discuss the formation of a coalition of countries that could help secure Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
Starmer urged attendees to “keep the pressure up” on Russian President Vladimir Putin during his opening remarks. The virtual summit is bringing together 37 countries, with the U.K. and France taking the lead in committing troops to Ukraine post-war.
Twenty-five nations are attending today’s meeting, which aims to get “concrete commitments” from participating countries. The European Union is playing a key role in securing Ukraine’s future, following a similar meeting earlier this month.
**Russia’s Demands**
Starmer has warned Putin against “playing games” with ceasefire negotiations. Russia has been demanding that Ukraine cede territory beyond what it has already taken, as well as demilitarization. The U.K. government has said that Ukraine must emerge from the conflict as a sovereign territory.
The summit represents a shift in strategy for the West, focusing on post-conflict stability rather than just providing immediate military support. Putin has been hostile to the presence of foreign soldiers in Ukraine to secure peace post-war.
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly has announced that he is selling his Tesla Model S after billionaire Elon Musk called him a “traitor” for visiting Ukraine despite paused U.S. military aid to the country.
The German government has agreed to allocate 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine as part of a plan to scale up Berlin’s defense spending.
A residential area in Kryvyi Rih was attacked by Russian ballistic missiles, with Governor Serhii Lysak reporting casualties.
**Talks and Truces**
Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed truce during talks in Saudi Arabia last week. However, the agreement is contingent on Russia’s adherence to its terms.
Russian President Putin has said that Ukrainian soldiers must surrender in Kursk Oblast after a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to “spare” the troops he claimed were surrounded. Ukraine denies claims of being surrounded at any part of the front.
**Other Developments**
A potential suspect was detained hours after prominent Ukrainian activist Demyan Hanul was assassinated in Odesa.
Sources suggest that Russia will likely continue using digital currencies in energy trade even if Western sanctions are lifted.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com