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

Trump is scheduled to meet Putin in Alaska on August 15, stating that the parties involved – including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – are close to a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year conflict.

Details of the potential deal have yet to be announced, but Trump said it would involve "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both". 

U.S. Vice President JD Vance met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and representatives of Ukraine and European allies on Saturday at Chevening House, a country mansion southeast of London, to discuss Trump's push for peace.

A joint statement from the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the president of the European Commission welcomed Trump's efforts but underscored the need to continue supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia.

"We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," the statement read.

"We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said, while adding, "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine."

The leaders also said "they remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force," and added, "The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."

They also stressed negotiations could only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

A European official confirmed a counterproposal was put forward by European representatives at the Chevening meeting but declined to provide details.

(With input from Reuters)