INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
European leaders agreed at a summit in Paris on Thursday to tighten sanctions on Russia rather than ease them, as Britain and France
direct talks with the Kremlin uneased leaders in Europe.While the United States claims it is making tentative progress toward a ceasefire,
a peace deal remains distant
summit, urging Washington to take a more decisive stance against the Kremlin
pressure to support United States efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that lifting
including Saudi Arabia, might consider such a move.Beyond sanctions, European leaders discussed military support for Ukraine, including the
potential deployment of European troops
for talks.Macron stressed the force would not be a peacekeeping unit or a substitute for the Ukrainian army but would serve as a deterrent
against future Russian aggression
However, not all European allies would participate due to logistical or political concerns.Zelensky acknowledged ongoing uncertainty over
States involvement in future European discussions on the conflict.Despite the differences, Starmer hailed the summit as a historic show of
broad 30-day ceasefire through United States mediation, but Russia has set strict conditions for any such agreement, testing European
patience.On Thursday, Kyiv accused Russia of violating a United States -brokered agreement to refrain from striking energy infrastructure,
citing an artillery attack that left Kherson without power
ceasefire.The summit followed reports that Russia and Ukraine had discussed a possible Black Sea ceasefire in parallel talks with United
States officials in Saudi Arabia.
