LONDON/MOSCOW - Any diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis must protect the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe, European leaders said in a joint statement on Saturday night.
The joint statement was made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
In the statement, released ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug 15, the European leaders agreed that the vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They said the only path to lasting peace and security in Ukraine lies in a combination of active diplomacy, continued support for Ukraine, and pressure on Russia. They also noted that meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.
They welcomed Trump's efforts to secure peace in Ukraine and pledged continued European diplomatic support, along with "substantive military and financial support" to Ukraine through the "coalition of the willing".
The leaders also vowed to maintain and enforce restrictive measures against Russia.
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On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed and coordinated positions on a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with several European leaders, including Starmer, Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Separately, Russian air defense forces shot down two Ukrainian drones flying towards the capital Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.
The ministry said that between 8 am (0500 GMT) and 12 pm (0900 GMT) Moscow time Saturday, the Russian military shot down a total of 44 Ukrainian drones within Russian territory. Over the Moscow Oblast, three drones were shot down, two of which were heading toward Moscow.
Russia's air defense systems also shot down a Su-27 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force, according to the ministry.
In a bulletin, the ministry said its forces also destroyed two guided aerial bombs, two rockets fired from the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 457 aircraft-type drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force said on social media that between Friday night and Saturday morning, its air defenses intercepted an Iskander-K cruise missile and downed 31 Russian drones over Ukrainian territory.
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On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that the Russian troops have taken control of the village of Yablonovka in the Donetsk region.
