A major meeting in London aimed at bringing about an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine has been downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would skip the summit, escalating a clash between Washington and Kyiv over the future of Russian-occupied Crimea.

Talks between the U.S., Ukraine and European officials to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine faltered as Secretary of State Marco Rubio abruptly cancelled his trip to London.

London talks aimed at securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have been downgraded and will no longer include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting on Wednesday will instead take place among senior officials from the UK,