UK Envoy Urges Zelensky to Show Flexibility in Peace Talks

Washington – British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has called on Western allies to encourage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to adopt greater flexibility in negotiations with Russia, arguing that firm security guarantees from the West could help him overcome resistance at home if concessions are required.

Zelensky, during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, acknowledged that the possibility of territorial compromises had been discussed. Trump, meanwhile, suggested that an immediate ceasefire was not essential for securing a durable peace agreement.

Speaking to Newsmax on Tuesday, Mandelson warned that Zelensky may face political challenges in Kyiv if he pursues compromise. “He may go back to Kyiv and find he doesn’t have the political support for the flexibility that he’s got to show in order to help bring this to an end,” Mandelson said, as reported by The Times.

The ambassador stressed that Western security commitments would be crucial in providing Zelensky with the political cover to pursue negotiations. “We’ve got to continue making sure that what Zelensky can take back is cast-iron assurance, so that if he does show flexibility, Ukraine can be safe,” he added.

Trump told Fox News that Zelensky must “show some flexibility” and reaffirmed his plan to facilitate a summit between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially followed by trilateral talks including himself.

However, uncertainty remains over what form Western assurances might take. The U.S. has ruled out full NATO membership for Ukraine, while Moscow has insisted it will not tolerate Western troops on Ukrainian soil and has demanded an end to Western arms supplies to Kyiv.