France pledged €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine as European leaders met in Paris to discuss strengthening Kyiv’s defense and potential roles in future peace talks. The summit, led by Macron and Starmer, focuses on military support, ceasefire monitoring, and Europe’s strategic involvement.
France pledged 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine as some 30 leaders met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Thursday to discuss how to strengthen Kyiv's position and assess how they could play a role if a peace deal is struck with Russia.
The third summit of what France and Britain have called the "coalition of the willing" brings together the likes of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.
It is taking place after Zelenskyy agreed earlier this month to proceed with ceasefire talks to ensure a resumption of U.S. aid and intelligence sharing. But Russia has placed additional demands on implementation of a ceasefire deal in the Black Sea and on energy targets, and many European nations believe a peace accord remains distant.
"First and foremost (we will discuss) the immediate support for Ukraine. It must go on because it is necessary to continue the resistance," President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Wednesday evening at a press conference with Zelenskyy.
Macron committed to a further 2 billion euros in French military support, including missiles, warplanes and air defence equipment. Zelenskyy said other partners could announce aid packages on Thursday.
The format aims to forge a role for Europe in any talks on ending the conflict. While the United States is not present, French officials say the outcome of the summit will be shared with the U.S. administration.
The discussions will focus on how to strengthen Ukraine militarily to deter future attacks, and how to monitor the limited ceasefires over sea targets and energy infrastructure, as discussed at U.S.-led talks this week in Saudi Arabia.
European efforts, led by Macron and Starmer, to create security arrangements for Ukraine are shifting from sending troops to considering alternatives as they face political and logistical constraints, and the prospect of Russia and the United States opposing their plans, officials have told Reuters.
"The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back US efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation," Starmer's office said in a statement.
Planning so far has looked at the full range of European military capabilities including aircraft, tanks, troops, intelligence and logistics. Discussions have centred on what European nations can contribute to support any future force, it said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged for a swift peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, as the Trump administration decides whether to continue mediation.
Russia launched 149 drones at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's air force. The governor of Dnipropetrovsk region reported one death and one injury from the attack.
The Kremlin says President Putin confirmed readiness for direct talks with Ukraine during a meeting with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
Russian security forces say they have detained a Ukrainian agent accused of killing a top Russian general with a car bomb near Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Ukrainian forces pushed out of Kursk, but Ukraine insists its troops are still operating in the region.
An Israeli airstrike struck a building in Beirut, breaking months of ceasefire despite no reported injuries.
U.S. President Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiyy went well, while expressing disappointment in Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
North Korea has officially acknowledged it deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, calling it a demonstration of its firm alliance with Moscow.
The Indian Navy has tested anti-ship missiles after a deadly Kashmir attack further strained already fragile ties with Pakistan.
Greenland’s prime minister has ruled out any U.S. takeover of the Arctic territory, stressing that Greenland is not a piece of property to be bought.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the upcoming week will be "very critical" for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, emphasizing that both sides are still not "close enough" to a deal.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has confirmed that Moscow will persist in targeting Ukrainian military sites, despite international condemnation following recent attacks on civilian areas.
China has announced that it has taken control of Sandy Cay reef, a disputed landform in the South China Sea, located just a few kilometers from a key Philippine military outpost. The reef, which China refers to as Tiexian Jiao, is also claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
An Israeli airstrike struck a building in Beirut, breaking months of ceasefire despite no reported injuries.
U.S. President Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiyy went well, while expressing disappointment in Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
An Israeli airstrike struck a building in Beirut, breaking months of ceasefire despite no reported injuries.
U.S. President Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiyy went well, while expressing disappointment in Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
North Korea has officially acknowledged it deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, calling it a demonstration of its firm alliance with Moscow.
The Indian Navy has tested anti-ship missiles after a deadly Kashmir attack further strained already fragile ties with Pakistan.
Greenland’s prime minister has ruled out any U.S. takeover of the Arctic territory, stressing that Greenland is not a piece of property to be bought.
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