David Lammy is set to meet G7 allies in Munich on Friday as Western leaders scramble to respond to US President Donald Trump’s surprise discussions with Vladimir Putin over a potential peace deal for Ukraine.
The Foreign Secretary will attend the Munich Security Conference, where he is expected to take part in a G7 meeting and a high-level dinner with his counterparts from the US, France, Italy, and Germany – a gathering known as the “Quint.”
While issues such as the Middle East and migration were likely to dominate the agenda, Ukraine has now become the primary focus following Mr Trump’s announcement that he and Mr Putin had agreed to work “very closely” to bring an end to the conflict. The war, which began three years ago with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has been the most pressing security challenge for Europe since the Second World War.
Trump’s shift on Ukraine sparks alarm
In a major shift from previous US policy, Mr Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had spoken to Mr Putin and agreed to pursue peace talks. His remarks were met with scepticism from European leaders, particularly after initial reports suggested Ukraine was not guaranteed a place at the negotiating table.
However, on Thursday, Mr Trump sought to reassure allies by confirming that Ukraine would indeed have a seat in the discussions. Despite this, his insistence that he could “trust” Mr Putin and his suggestion that Russia should be readmitted to the G7 have fuelled fresh concerns about US commitment to European security.
Russia was expelled from what was then the G8 in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea. Western nations, including the UK, have long maintained that sanctions against Moscow should remain until Russia withdraws from occupied Ukrainian territory.
Western leaders push back
Western leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, have insisted that Ukraine must be fully involved in any peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reinforced this position, stating that he would not accept “any agreements (made) without us.”
The US has hinted that as part of a settlement, Ukraine may have to cede some territory to Russia and accept that NATO membership is unlikely. However, NATO’s official position – endorsed by Sir Keir’s government in the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership – remains that Kyiv is on an “irreversible” path towards joining the alliance.
Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger has cautioned that Ukraine is being asked to make “some very, very hefty concessions… without much being asked for in return.” This has led to growing concerns that any deal brokered by Washington and Moscow could significantly undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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Lammy’s diplomatic mission
Alongside his engagements with the G7 and the Quint, Mr Lammy is expected to participate in an event focused on Ukraine and meet with officials from European, Middle Eastern, and North American nations.
He will be joined in Munich by Defence Secretary John Healey, who has already attended a NATO meeting and chaired a session of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group earlier this week.
During that meeting, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signalled a shift in American policy, stating that the US was no longer “primarily focused” on guaranteeing European security. This announcement has alarmed many European capitals, with some now calling for increased defence spending to compensate for a potential reduction in US military support.
Uncertain future for Ukraine and NATO
The prospect of an American-brokered deal between Russia and Ukraine without firm commitments from NATO has deepened unease across Europe. The UK and other European nations have reiterated their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but there is growing anxiety over whether Mr Trump’s approach will weaken Western unity.
As Mr Lammy and his counterparts gather in Munich, one key question will be whether the UK and EU can maintain a strong, independent stance on Ukraine if US policy continues to shift.
For now, the UK remains committed to supporting Kyiv, but as tensions rise and diplomatic efforts intensify, all eyes will be on the Munich Security Conference to see how the West responds to Trump’s latest geopolitical manoeuvre.
