Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is to attend an informal summit of EU leaders on Thursday at the invitation of European Council President Donald Tusk.

People stand opposite the Palace of Independence where the 'Normandy Four' meeting will take place in Minsk. Germany and France are spearheading a new peace drive, and their talks with Ukraine and Russia are planned for 11 February in the Belarusian capital. Photo: PAP/EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

Poroshenko will “brief us on the developments in Ukraine,” Tusk wrote on Wednesday in a letter to members of the Council.

The Brussels meeting comes a day after crucial peace talks in Minsk today, Wednesday, between the ‘Normandy Four’ of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia over a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

Wednesday’s meeting is to start at 6pm local time (4pm CET), the Interfax-Ukraine agency has informed, citing sources, adding that Poroshenko has so far not announced any bilateral talks while in Minsk.

According to Russian diplomatic sources cited by Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the negotiation round in Minsk will concentrate on the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the creation of a demilitarised zone and the initiation of dialogue between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists.

Meanwhile, ahead of the meeting in Minsk, US President Barack Obama called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin warning him that if no solution is found at Wednesday’s meeting, “the costs for Russia will rise,” a statement from the White House reads. (jb)