Dorset Ukraine expert says World leader talks are "unprecedented"
World Leaders have met in Washington for talks
Last updated 20th Aug 2025
A Dorset Ukraine expert is saying World leader talks are "unprecedented".
Leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanual Macron will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington.
This comes after the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks in Alaska on Friday, which came to no agreement.
Alina Dolea, Associate Professor in Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy at the University of Bournemouth, said: "It is unprecedented how quickly everything is moving.
"I think seven European leaders together with President Zelenskyy in a room, sends a very clear message.
"A clear message of a united front, which is obviously very important and has been acknowledged by President Trump, who is talking about a big day today.
"Before the meeting, in creating this climate that might lead to some successful diplomacy, they obviously highlight that there can be no peace without Ukraine at the table and without strong security guarantees."
She told us what she thought the best case scenario could be from these meetings.
She said: "Obviously, it's more of a speculation or wishful thinking at this point, as we don't have any details from Friday.
"The best outcome would be that the European leaders are playing their cards excellently and they are able to convince President Trump to have an approach to the war in Ukraine.
"That would include a ceasefire ideally, and obviously security guarantees that could lead to the protection of Ukraine, but also the protection of Europe."
The Alaskan summit on Friday included land demands from Russia for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a condition for ending the war.
Ms Dolea added: "Ukraine is in a very delicate position at the moment and we're obviously expecting pressure from President Trump.
"The official communication and the official statements were very much along the lines of Ukraine defending its land, defending its territory and sovereignty."
New Forest for Ukraine have been sending aid out to the country since the beginning of the war.
Sandra Quinn, volunteer and co-ordinator for NFFU, told us what they're hearing from Ukraine.
She said: "The need will continue, the bombing is continuing, people are still being displaced from their home, which basically means one minute they have a home and the next minute they don't.
"If they're lucky, they make it out of their home, perhaps with a bag.
The charity recently received an emergency request for tools.
"People literally wanted to be able to board up their windows and doors, not necessarily just to make somewhere habitable, but to be safe enough to get back into and get back what is left."
New Forest for Ukraine are running an event for Ukraine Independence Day on Saturday to help bring Ukrainians together and to "celebrate culture", as well as to raise awareness.
The event will take place at St. Thomas Church in Lymington.