The gathering in South Africa comes as US President Donald Trump gives Ukraine until Thursday to agree to the deal.

European leaders are set to meet in South Africa to discuss alternatives to a U.S. plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine as a top Ukrainian delegation prepared for direct talks with Washington.

European leaders are hoping to bolster the controversial plan, which Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was forcing his country to choose between "dignity" and a "key partner."

Ukrainian contacts react negatively to Trump's 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, calling it heavily slanted toward Moscow as Zelenskyy reviews terms.