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Keir Starmer sparks diplomatic row after failing to invite 3 countries to Ukraine summit .hh

The source, who is said to have knowledge of the situation, warned that Russia would notice with interest that the three Nato members aren’t to be present.

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It comes ahead of crisis talks among European leaders in London, hosted by Sir Keir.. (Image: Getty)

Three countries are “very unhappy” not to have been invited to a major summit of European leaders about Ukraine, a diplomatic source has said.

Speaking to Sky News, the unnamed insider said the Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) were displeased not to be part of the high-stakes discussions taking place on Sunday, hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London.

The source, who is said to have knowledge of the situation, warned that Russia would notice with interest that the three Nato members aren’t to be present.

All three nations were under the control of the Soviet Union until it collapsed and formally dissolved in 1991.

Estonia and Latvia share a border with Russia, and Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which was once itself under Soviet control, has sparked fears in all three countries that they could one day be targeted.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at Stansted for UK visit

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The three countries are the military alliance’s highest defence spenders as a percentage of GDP, as well as being some of the biggest supporters of Ukraine which has been at war with Russia since February 2022, as per the outlet.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already arrived in the UK ahead of the meeting, where he will be joined by the likes of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the European Council President António Costa, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.

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The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “Russia and our publics will clearly assess this that we are sold out by the US, but also by [the] UK and France,” as Paris is helping to organise the summit.

They confirmed that the PM would have a phone call with the leaders of the Baltic states, but indicated it was a poor substitute for them not joining other representatives in person, the outlet reports.

The source said: “We are truly very unhappy with a refusal to invite the Baltic leaders.”

No10 has been approached for comment.

It comes just hours after Zelensky’s public row with President Trump and his Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office yesterday.

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President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelensky At The White House

Trump and Zelensky’s spat is set to overshadow the talks in London on Sunday. (Image: Getty)

During the clash, the US President accused him of “gambling with World War Three”, with Vance confronting Zelensky and falsely accusing him of never thanking the American people for its financial support.

Sir Keir spoke with both leaders after the row, according to a No 10 spokesman.

Downing Street said Sir Keir “retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security” for Kyiv.

Zelensky and Trump HAD been set to sign a minerals deal that would give Washington a stake in Ukraine’s future, though Trump has stopped short of providing security guarantees are part of it, BBC News reports.

But following the extraordinary bust-up, the agreement was left unsigned and a press conference between the two leaders was cancelled.

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European leaders now scrambling to ensure their countries can unite to continue support for Ukraine and deter Putin, with the US’s ongoing support for Kyiv seemingly in doubt.

The meeting will see European leaders discussing support for Kyiv, including a plan to establish an international “reassurance” force that could to sent to Ukraine to help secure a ceasefire amid talks between Washington and Moscow, which have thus far excluded Ukraine.

They’re also expected to discuss wider security as doubts hang over the US’s commitment to European security.

Trump has consistently characterised the money and arms it has provided to Ukraine as a drain on the economic taxpayer, whilst alarming European allies with his warm words for Putin.

He has also called on Europe to take on a much bigger burden on defence, accusing the US’s closest allies of exploiting Washington’s security umbrella for years.

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