BRUSSELS, Aug. 12– Any peace deal must respect international law and cannot be imposed without Kiev’s consent, leaders of the European Union (EU) said Tuesday, ahead of a meeting between U.S. and Russian presidents.

In a statement, the European leaders said a “just and lasting peace” must uphold Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that borders “must not be changed by force.”

“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” they said. “Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.”

The bloc reiterated its support for Ukraine’s political, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic needs, and pledged to continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures against Russia.

The leaders also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine to join the EU. Hungary did not sign the statement. Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X that Hungary would not back a statement setting conditions for a meeting to which EU leaders were not invited.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and ways to improve bilateral ties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine would not cede territory to Russia after Trump suggested there could be some “swapping of territories” to end the war. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Aug. 12 — Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Tuesday that it foiled a terror attack targeting a high-ranking defense ministry official in the Moscow region.

The agency said it detained a dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen attempting to use a homemade explosive device disguised in a car for the attack.

The vehicle, filled with more than 60 kg of explosives, was to be detonated when the high-ranking officer passes by, the FSB said.

Over the past year, Russian authorities have reported multiple foiled plots involving car bombs and other explosive devices, often accusing Ukrainian special services of orchestrating them.

In a high-profile incident, Russian Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the General Staff’s main operations directorate, was killed in a car explosion in the Moscow region on April 25. (Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Aug. 11  — The Israeli army is building a new military post in southern Lebanon, which could bring the total number of positions it holds in the border area to six, according to Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses.

A reliable Lebanese security source told Xinhua that “an Israeli military crew equipped with several bulldozers and excavators began construction work on a new military post in Khallat al-Makhafir, in the eastern sector of Lebanon’s southern border area.”

The source added that the post is located near the Israeli settlement of Misgav Am, about 800 meters inside Lebanese territory.

Eyewitnesses from villages along the border told Xinhua that “the Israeli crew has completed leveling the land and is working on digging bunkers and building earth mounds, as well as installing dozens of concrete blocks around the site.”

They added that the team is operating under the protection of several Israeli Merkava tanks stationed on the hills overlooking this point.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah taking effect since Nov. 27, Israel still occupies five sites in southern Lebanon and continues to carry out airstrikes on border areas, claiming they are aimed at eliminating “threats” from Hezbollah.

According to the sources, the five occupied positions — Tallet al-Hammams, Tallet al-Oweida, Jabal Blat, al-Labouneh, and al-Aziyeh — are located on strategic hills that provide a commanding view of the area and a superior firing position, rising higher than the Israeli settlements in northern Israel. (Xinhua)