European leaders are set to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday to discuss alternatives to a U.S. plan aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, a proposal Kyiv and its European partners say favors Moscow. Meanwhile, a top Ukrainian delegation is preparing for direct talks with Washington.
The 28-point U.S. blueprint, which Kyiv has rejected, calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, reduce its military size, and halt its NATO aspirations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the plan could force Ukraine to choose between defending its sovereignty and maintaining vital American support.
Kyiv’s delegation, including Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak and former defense minister Rustem Umerov, will meet U.S. officials in Switzerland to discuss the proposal. Ukrainian authorities said negotiators are authorized to engage directly with Russia.
European leaders, stressing the importance of Kyiv’s consultation, cautioned against a rushed peace deal. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russia repeatedly feigns peace efforts while continuing attacks, citing a recent strike that killed over two dozen civilians in western Ukraine. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for lasting peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and includes robust security guarantees.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy marked Holodomor Memorial Day, recalling the Soviet-era famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s. He said Ukraine would continue defending its homeland against Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a fuel refinery in Russia’s Samara region overnight, killing two and injuring two others, according to local officials. Russian air defenses reportedly shot down 69 Ukrainian drones over Russia and occupied Crimea, temporarily disrupting operations at several airports and cutting power to thousands of households.