The Ukrainian president sharply criticized American diplomat Steve Witkoff for adopting "Russian propaganda narratives" after Witkoff suggested Ukraine must cede five territories without security guarantees.
Nearly all NATO members except the US gather in Paris to discuss creating international security forces with heavy weaponry that could rapidly deploy to Ukraine if Russia violates a future ceasefire agreement.
The proposed international force would maintain stockpiles of heavy weapons and deploy within hours to counter Russian aggression, signaling Europe's pivot toward greater military self-reliance.
As the Munich Conference revealed a shifting geopolitical reality, Ukraine remains strikingly calm. Analysts say Kyiv should stick to this approach in peace talks, as Trump's strategy hinges on high-stakes consequences: whichever side—Russia or Ukraine—refuses to negotiate will face severe repercussions.
Following last week's initial emergency meeting, France broadens its diplomatic initiative to include Baltic states, Nordic countries and Canada, as European leaders work to develop a united approach amid US-Russia negotiations.
The EU and UK leaders will meet in Paris following the US move to initiate separate peace talks with Russia, while Ukraine warns against exclusion from negotiations about its future.
Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh, speaking at the 18th Council of Europe Sports Ministers Conference, urged Europe to ban Russian athletes from international competitions. She highlighted the tragic loss of over 487 Ukrainian athletes and coaches in the war and called attention to the destruction of over 500 sports facilities as a result of Russian aggression.
French authorities have arrested Telegram founder Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, issuing warrants as part of a broader investigation into the platform's alleged involvement in facilitating child abuse.