French President Emmanuel Macron will host European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for a summit on Thursday to strengthen Ukraine’s security before any potential cease-fire with Russia, says media reports. Experts see this as Europe’s effort to secure a role in negotiations alongside the US and Russia, despite limited influence over Washington. The summit will outline security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly including military deployments by a “coalition of the willing.” Twenty-seven leaders will attend the Paris meeting, starting at the Elysee Palace. Macron, speaking with Zelensky on Wednesday, called this a “decisive phase” in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
EU SNUBS US EFFORTS TO MEDIATE BLACK SEA CEASEFIRE
The EU has rejected Russia’s demand to lift sanctions on its main agricultural bank as part of the Black Sea ceasefire discussions between Moscow and Washington, European Commission Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper told the Financial Times. During Monday’s talks in Riyadh, Russian and US experts discussed reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow insists should include easing Western restrictions on Russian financial institutions involved in food and fertilizer exports. However, Hipper emphasized that sanctions would only be reconsidered if Russia ends its “unprovoked aggression” and fully withdraws from Ukrainian territory.
GERMANY URGES EUROPE TO COUNTER TRUMP’S CAR TARIFFS
Germany’s Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck called for a strong EU response to President Donald Trump’s newly announced 25% import tariff on cars. Speaking Thursday, Habeck insisted that Europe must stand firm, warning that the move would harm not only German carmakers and the EU economy but also the US itself. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the tariffs as damaging to businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, France’s Finance Minister Eric Lombard suggested that the EU should retaliate by raising tariffs on US products, emphasizing the need for a firm response to Washington’s trade policies.
NORTH KOREA SENT 3,000 ADDITIONAL TROOPS TO RUSSIA THIS YEAR, SAYS SEOUL
South Korea has reported that North Korea recently sent 3,000 more troops to Russia, reinforcing its support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. According to Seoul’s military assessment, the soldiers were deployed in January and February. Additionally, North Korea has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and rocket launchers. Last year, Pyongyang reportedly dispatched 11,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region, with heavy losses leading to a temporary withdrawal in January. An estimated 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia during a recent meeting with Kremlin official Sergei Shoigu.
RUSSIAN SENATOR OFFERS RARE INSIGHT INTO TALKS WITH US
Russian and American delegations held nearly 12 hours of closed-door talks in Riyadh on Monday, marking a rare moment of sustained direct engagement between the two nations. Russian Senator Grigory Karasin described the discussions as “open” and “detailed,” focusing on geopolitical and security issues, including the Black Sea Initiative and energy infrastructure security. Ordered by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump after their recent conversation, the session aimed to lay the groundwork for future negotiations. Karasin emphasized the professionalism of the talks, highlighting efforts on both sides to understand each other’s positions during the lengthy discussions.
