ISTANBUL

After separate talks with the US and Ukrainian presidents, the European Commission president on Thursday called on the Russian president to return to the negotiating table, following Moscow's massive overnight strike on Kyiv, which also damaged the EU Delegation offices in the Ukrainian capital.

Ursula von der Leyen said she spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the attack, which killed at least 18 people and injured dozens more.

"Just spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa, then @POTUS Donald Trump, following the massive strike on Kyiv which also hit our EU offices. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must come to the negotiating table," she said through the US social media company X.

"We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that will turn the country into a steel porcupine. Europe will fully play its part. Our defence instrument SAFE, for example, will be important to strengthening the brave Ukrainian armed forces," she said.

On his phone conversation with the European Commission president, Zelenskyy said he is grateful for the condolences and solidarity shown with the Ukrainian people following the attack, defining the overnight strikes as "one of the largest attacks" on the war-torn country.

"We discussed our diplomatic efforts to stop the killings, to end this unprovoked Russian aggression, and to guarantee real security for our people. There is much work being done at various levels precisely for this purpose," Zelenskyy said on X, arguing that pressure on Moscow must be intensified until Russia "takes real steps toward peace."

The Ukrainian president further said that von der Leyen also informed him on preparations for the 19th EU sanctions package against Russia, as well as discussed Kyiv's European integration path and the simultaneous opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine and Moldova.

"We expect a positive decision in the near future," he added.

Ukrainian authorities have stated that at least 18 people, including four children, were killed and 48 others injured in an overnight Russian attack in Kyiv.