European Union leaders appealed on Tuesday to US President Donald Trump to defend their security interests at a key summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week over the war in Ukraine. The Europeans are desperate to exert some influence over a Friday meeting that they have been sidelined from. It remains unclear whether Ukraine will take part.

Trump disappointed US allies in Europe by saying that Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He also said Russia must accept land swaps. It remains unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender.

In a statement on Tuesday, EU leaders said they “welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. But, they said, “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine”.