European leaders are convening in South Africa on Saturday to discuss alternatives to a controversial U.S. plan aimed at ending Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. This meeting comes nearly four years after Russia's invasion of its neighbor and underscores the urgency felt by European countries regarding their own future in relation to Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression.
The American plan, which features a worrying 28-point blueprint, has raised alarms in both Kyiv and various European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy articulated these concerns on Friday, highlighting the difficult choice his country faces—whether to uphold its sovereign rights or potentially compromise its essential support from the U.S.
European nations recognize that their security and future are intricately linked to Ukraine’s resistance against Russian forces. Therefore, they have insisted on being included in any peace negotiations. The leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, showcasing their continued support for Ukraine.
These planned discussions were confirmed by leading officials from the European Union including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa, following a telephone conversation with President Zelenskyy. Earlier in the day, von der Leyen emphasized the critical principle that states, “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” reiterating the necessity of Ukrainian involvement in any discussions about its future.
Critically, the U.S. proposal envisions Ukraine ceding territory to Russia—something that Kyiv has firmly dismissed. Additionally, the plan includes conditions like reducing the size of Ukraine's military and blocking its aspirations for NATO membership, while satisfying numerous demands laid out by Moscow and offering limited security guarantees for Ukraine.
In related news, a drone strike carried out by Ukrainian forces targeted a fuel refinery in southern Russia, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring two others, as reported by local officials. This strike in the Samara region is part of a series of long-range operations targeting Russian oil infrastructure, which Ukraine claims fuels the Kremlin’s military efforts in the ongoing war.
Regional Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev did not provide specific details about the targeted site or the extent of the damage inflicted by the attack. Moreover, the Ukrainian side has not yet released any comments regarding this incident.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that overnight, their air defense systems successfully intercepted 69 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the occupied Crimean Peninsula, with 15 of those reported over Samara province. As a consequence of the nighttime strikes, several Russian airports temporarily halted or restricted their operations, and power outages affected approximately 3,000 households in the southern city of Rylsk, according to Russian authorities.
For ongoing updates regarding the war in Ukraine, refer to the continuous coverage by the Associated Press.
