Trump-Zelenskyy meeting: NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine discussed at White House; Trump says US would help | World News

A former British ambassador to Russia says it is “absurd” to talk about a peace deal with Vladimir Putin, despite the hopeful tone of meetings at the White House this evening

“There isn’t going to be a peace deal with Mr Putin about Ukraine. That’s not possible,” says Sir Laurie Bristow, speaking to presenter Jonathan Samuels earlier.

“A ceasefire, I think, is actually possible. But the main thing for a ceasefire to actually happen is for Mr Putin to believe that it’s his best option and that all other options, including fighting on, are worse

“For there to be a proper ceasefire, Mr Putin needs to be under real pressure.”

He must believe the West will do what it takes to enable Ukraine to defend itself, says Bristow.

When Samuels pushes back that Europe and America haven’t given Ukraine all the means they needed to defend themselves for the entire war, Bristow says “the Ukrainians have had a lot”.

“What really, really matters now is what Mr Putin believes we will do next to support Ukraine.”

He adds: “Any assurance that Mr Putin gives to anybody is completely worthless. 

“And the heart of this, any security assurances, are about deterring Russia from attacking Ukraine again. It’s simply not plausible that the Russians would ever agree to an arrangement set up to deter them.”