(VOVWORLD) - EU leaders convened a meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Ukraine’s security issues, where Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Europe should be part of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits a military training camp in Germany. (Photo: REUTERS/VNA)
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He said Europe needs to be technologically independent, especially in weapons production.
Addressing a press conference the same day, János Bóka, Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs, said Budapest doesn’t support Ukraine's integration into European defense structures. He said Europe’s security will not be stronger when it integrates Ukraine into its defense systems, but Ukraine's role as a "buffer zone" will serve the interests of both Russia and Europe.
The next round of Russia-US talks on Ukraine will be held next Monday in Saudi Arabia at the expert level, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. The US and Ukraine will also hold talks in Saudi Arabia in the next few days.
Speaking on the NewsNation Now television channel on Thursday, spokesperson for the US State Department Bruce Tammi noted Russia and Ukraine are very close to a comprehensive ceasefire agreement and then the parties involved can start discussing peace, not just for one week or 6 months, but a lasting peace.
The US and Ukraine are also planning to hold talks in Saudi Arabia in the next few days.