Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, picks up earlier suggestion of truce saying it would show if Putin were willing to start negotiations in earnestKeir Starmer says Europe ‘at crossroads in history’ and must support Ukrainein DublinThe Irish government has drafted legislation to remove a de facto ban on any more than 12 troops being deployed overseas as the country makes significant moves to bolster its bare and weak defence force.European Union is a project of peace, and the project of peace means that security and defence is necessarily a priority, because peace without defence is an illusion. Continue reading...
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for strong support from international partners, emphasizing the need for assistance as Russia continues its attacks, including the use of drones, bombs, and missiles. French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a one-month limited truce, focusing on a pause in air, sea, and critical infrastructure attacks, to assess Russia's intentions. European defense stocks have surged following the London summit, driven by expectations of increased defense spending amid concerns about potential U.S. security withdrawal. Zelenskyy shared footage of recent Russian airstrikes, highlighting the destruction and loss of life caused by ongoing attacks. The French foreign minister has suggested the truce could test Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to peace. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticized the London summit, arguing that European leaders are prolonging the conflict instead of pursuing peace, and has called for immediate ceasefire negotiations. The UK's Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has stated that European military deployments in Ukraine could occur without U.S. backing if necessary, but a lasting peace would require U.S. involvement.
