Russian President Vladimir Putin must begin peace talks on Ukraine.

This was stated by European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen. Her words came after talks with US and Ukrainian Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, AFP reported.

Von der Leyen's appeal comes amid the Kremlin's continued unwillingness to respond to Trump's efforts to organize direct talks between Putin and Zelensky with the aim of ending Russian aggression.

"I just spoke with President Zelensky, then with President Trump, about the massive attack on Kyiv, which also affected the EU offices. Putin must sit down at the negotiating table," the EC president wrote on social media.

"We must ensure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and reliable security guarantees," she added. 

Meanwhile, Moscow carried out one of its most massive night attacks since the start of the war, killing at least 18 people in Kyiv and seriously damaging the EU diplomatic mission building.

As part of US-led peace efforts, Western allies are discussing what security guarantees can be offered to Ukraine in the event of a truce.

Trump has already indicated that the US could support a possible European peacekeeping mission, but will not send American troops to Ukrainian territory.

Von der Leyen stressed that "Europe will play its role to the full," highlighting a new large-scale EU program to finance weapons for Ukraine. | BGNES