Tensions between the United States and Ukraine over the ongoing conflict with Russia have continued to escalate, even as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy insists that the Kremlin has no real desire for peace.
The friction between Washington and Kyiv has grown more pronounced following an increasingly bitter exchange between former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Thursday, White House officials accused Mr Zelensky of “insulting” his American counterpart, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference in Kyiv at the request of the US.
Mr Zelensky had been due to address the media alongside retired US General Keith Kellogg, Mr Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, after their diplomatic discussions. However, the Ukrainian president’s spokesperson later confirmed that while the talks had gone ahead, the press conference had been scrapped, signalling a deepening diplomatic divide.
Growing frustrations in washington
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz suggested that Mr Trump’s criticism of Mr Zelensky reflected a broader frustration in Washington regarding what it perceives as Kyiv’s unwillingness to compromise on certain aspects of a peace settlement. A key sticking point appears to be Ukraine’s rejection of an American proposal that would have granted the US control over Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees.
“There’s some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and insults to President Trump that were unacceptable,” Mr Waltz said.
The growing rift comes at a time when US and Russian officials have engaged in preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia about a potential end to the war, with Ukraine notably absent from the negotiations.
UK casts doubt on Russia’s intentions
Speaking after a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, Mr Lammy expressed scepticism about Russia’s willingness to engage in serious peace negotiations.
“We’ve not got anywhere near a negotiated settlement, and I have to say when I listened to what the Russians and what (Russian Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov said in the chamber this afternoon, I don’t see an appetite to really get to that peace,” he said.
Both Mr Lammy and Mr Lavrov made statements in a closed-door session at the G20 meeting. While the details of Mr Lavrov’s speech remain undisclosed, it is understood that he boycotted Mr Lammy’s remarks. According to a transcript released by the UK Foreign Office, Mr Lammy accused Moscow of spreading “tired fabrications” and urged Russia to abandon its “tsarist imperialism.”
The G20 talks are set to continue on Friday, with Mr Lammy expected to hold further bilateral discussions with officials from South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
A diplomatic dilemma for Sir Keir Starmer
The escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington add further complexity to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to the White House, where he will hold talks with Mr Trump.
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Sir Keir has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine, expressing solidarity with Mr Zelensky during a phone call on Wednesday. He also dismissed Mr Trump’s characterisation of the Ukrainian leader as a “dictator” and stressed that Ukraine must play a central role in any peace negotiations.
However, Sir Keir has also acknowledged the need for a US security “backstop” as part of any agreement to deter future Russian aggression. His discussions with Mr Trump are expected to focus on securing such a guarantee while also encouraging Europe to take on a greater share of the continent’s defence responsibilities.
The UK’s role in Ukraine’s security
Amid growing uncertainty over America’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, there have been calls for the UK and its European allies to provide stronger security guarantees.
Retired General Sir Nick Carter, the former head of the British armed forces, told the BBC that the UK may need to step in with its own security assurances for Ukraine should the US hesitate to do so.
“I think it’s for Ukraine to decide what a fair settlement looks like,” Sir Nick said.
He added that Europe must “step up to the plate” to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty is protected, particularly if American backing begins to wane.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the widening gulf between Ukraine and its Western allies threatens to complicate any potential resolution to the war. With Russia showing little inclination towards meaningful negotiations, and fractures emerging between Kyiv and Washington, the road to peace remains fraught with uncertainty.
