Ben Wallace: Britain’s Presence Crucial in Peace Talks to Shield Ukraine from Bullying

Sir Ben Wallace has emphasized the need for Britain to be included in peace talks to prevent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from being pressured by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The former defense secretary described Zelensky as a “brave man” who requires support to resist the influence of these two leaders, known for their bullying tactics.

Reports indicate that Trump is set to meet with Putin as early as next week, followed by trilateral discussions that will include Zelensky. Notably, European nations are expected to be excluded from these talks.

Wallace stated that having a “European power” present at the negotiations is crucial to ensure that Ukraine is not coerced into accepting an unfavorable agreement. When asked if he believed there was a risk of Trump using strong-arm tactics to compel Ukraine into a decision against its wishes, he expressed concern. He asserted that “two bullies” in the room—Trump and Putin—against Zelensky alone would not yield the best outcomes.

He emphasized that for a genuine peace process to occur, all parties invested in the situation, particularly European nations alongside Ukraine and the United States, should be involved in the discussions.

The announcement of these talks has sparked optimism that an end to the conflict might be near, following over three years of intense warfare. After a recent phone conversation with the U.S. president, Zelensky expressed optimism that Russia might be more inclined toward a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to Putin on foreign affairs, indicated that a summit could potentially take place next week at a venue that has been tentatively decided. However, he dismissed the likelihood of Zelensky attending the summit.

This development follows a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Putin. Concurrently, Trump has ramped up pressure on Russia, imposing new sanctions and labeling the country an “extraordinary threat” to the United States. He has also levied a 25% trade tariff on India for its purchase of Russian oil, a critical revenue source for the Kremlin.

It remains uncertain how these upcoming meetings will influence Trump’s deadline for Russia to cease its aggression or face economic sanctions. This summit would mark the first U.S.-Russia meeting since 2021, when Joe Biden, the former U.S. president, met with Putin in Geneva.

While this could represent a significant step toward Trump’s goal of ending the war, there is no assurance that it will halt the fighting, as Moscow and Kyiv continue to have divergent terms for peace.

Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling peace negotiations to give Russian forces time to seize additional Ukrainian territory. The Russian leader has previously refused to make any concessions, insisting that he will only accept an agreement on his terms, which Ukraine views as tantamount to surrender.