London talks for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have been downgraded, excluding US officials Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff. The meeting will now involve senior officials from the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the US, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosting discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. Despite speculation about Russia's willingness to halt its invasion, clarity on the outcome of diplomatic efforts remains elusive. Recent attacks in Ukraine continue to escalate, with significant casualties reported. Teljes cikk (bbc.com europe)