BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to defend their security interests at Friday's summit with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine , desperate to exert influence over the meeting from which they are sidelined.

Russian forces closed in on a key territorial grab, potentially to use as leverage in any peace negotiations. Seeking Trump’s ear before the summit

It was unclear whether even Ukraine will take part in the summit . Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war , now in its fourth year.

Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He also said Russia must accept land swaps , although it was unclear what

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