KYIV – This weekend, European leaders are gathering in South Africa, seeking alternatives to a U.S. proposal that aims to bring an end to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine—a plan perceived by many as leaning in favor of Moscow. This meeting comes nearly four years after Russia’s initial invasion of its neighboring country.
The 28-point proposal designed to curb the Kremlin’s military actions has raised significant concern in both Kyiv and European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced apprehension on Friday, highlighting the difficult decision his nation may face: choosing between defending its sovereign rights and maintaining crucial American support.
European nations, recognizing their stakes in Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression, are asserting their need to be directly involved in any peace initiatives. On Saturday, they plan to convene during the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to express solidarity with Ukraine.
This upcoming dialogue was confirmed by leading figures from the European Union—EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa—following their conversation with President Zelenskyy on Friday.
Earlier that day, von der Leyen affirmed a fundamental stance of Kyiv’s European backers: “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” underscoring the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations.
The U.S. proposal has stirred unease as it suggests Ukraine concede territory to Russia, a notion consistently rejected by Kyiv. The plan also involves downsizing Ukraine’s military forces and obstructing its aspirations for NATO membership, aligning with many of Moscow’s persistent demands while offering scant security assurances to Ukraine.
Elsewhere, a nighttime Ukrainian drone strike hit a fuel refinery in southern Russia, killing two people and injuring two more, a local official said. The attack on the Samara region in the latest of Kyiv’s long-range strikes against Russian oil infrastructure that it says fuels the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev did not immediately name the site that was targeted, or detail any damage. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Russian air defenses overnight shot down 69 Ukrainian drones over Russia and occupied Crimea, including 15 flying over Samara province, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. The nighttime strikes forced at least five Russian airports to temporarily halt or restrict operations, and cut off power to some 3,000 households in the southern city of Rylsk, according to Russian officials.
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