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European leaders are considering implementing further sanctions against Russia. They’re set to discuss this in Türkiye on Thursday, although a ceasefire seems unlikely. French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that Europe is prepared to act if Moscow doesn’t agree, suggesting new sanctions will follow a 30-day ceasefire. German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz also warned that without “real progress” toward peace in Ukraine this week, additional European sanctions would be on the table, urging Putin to meet with Zelensky. The EU has already enacted 16 rounds of sanctions against Russia since the invasion in February 2022.
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As of Tuesday evening, it was still uncertain whether Vladimir Putin would accept President Zelensky’s invitation for an in-person meeting. Zelensky is heading to Ankara to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and if Putin attends, he might then travel to Istanbul. According to Shaun Walker, if Putin fails to show up, it could indicate his reluctance to end the conflict.
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Top EU diplomat, Kaja Karasu, mentioned in Copenhagen that it would be beneficial if the two presidents were to meet, but she expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to attend. If neither Putin nor Zelensky are present, a lower-level dialogue might occur between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
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Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, stated that if Putin appears, Trump would, too, amid Trump’s current trip to the Middle East. Kellogg, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump associate Steve Witkov, are anticipated to be in Türkiye.
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibiha urged Brazil to help convince Putin to attend the Istanbul meeting. Members of the BRICS group, including China, Brazil, and Russia, issued a joint statement expressing hope for immediate direct dialogue.
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Macron acknowledged that Ukraine may not be able to reclaim all territory lost to Russia since 2014 and cautioned against escalating tensions into “World War III.” He emphasized the need for Ukraine to be in a strong position for upcoming negotiations.
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A Russian-guided bomb struck the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv on Tuesday, resulting in at least three fatalities, according to local officials.
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The Cannes Film Festival has kicked off by showcasing three Ukrainian documentaries, highlighting the stories emerging from the ongoing conflict. This ‘Ukrainian Day’ represents a commitment by artists and journalists to share the narratives surrounding this war in Europe.
