Macron, Zelensky Plan Coalition Meeting for Ukraine Peace Talks

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a summit in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aimed at finalizing a potential truce in the war with Russia, following talks in Saudi Arabia involving Kyiv and Moscow. This meeting is part of ongoing efforts by a 'coalition of the willing' to support Ukraine, with Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing readiness to deploy troops if necessary. Despite ongoing bombardments from Russia, Zelensky has urged the EU to increase arms deliveries and maintain sanctions, emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin must cease demands that prolong the conflict. EU leaders recently declared their commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, although they did not endorse Zelensky's request for 5 billion euros for artillery shells. Concurrently, Zelensky reiterated the importance of a solidified military backing from allies while asserting that trust in Putin is misplaced. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military actions despite diplomatic efforts for peace.