NATO defence chiefs were due to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, a senior alliance official said, as countries pushing for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine devise possible future security guarantees for Kyiv that could help forge a peace agreement.

Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s Military Committee, said that 32 defence chiefs from across the alliance would hold a video conference as a US-led diplomatic push seeks to end the fighting. US Gen Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, will take part in the talks.

Attacks in Sumy and Odesa overnight into Wednesday injured 15 people, including a family with three small children, Ukrainian officials said.