European leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine, while stressing the need to keep pressure on Moscow and protect Ukrainian and European security interests.

The alternative blueprint to end the war in Ukraine comes after Russia demanded major territorial concessions and President Trump said he’d meet with Vladimir Putin next week.

Leaders of European Union countries and the President of the European Commission have called on US President Donald Trump to defend the interests of Ukraine and Europe in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin,