In a Europe Adrift, Macron Seizes the Moment
The French president’s prescriptions for “strategic autonomy” and a European force for Ukraine are suddenly timely in a world with a less dependable America.
The French president’s prescriptions for “strategic autonomy” and a European force for Ukraine are suddenly timely in a world with a less dependable America.
Leaders worked hard to get President Volodymyr Zelensky back in the good graces of President Trump, no matter how humiliating, and to shift the onus to Russia.
While Ukraine said it would agree to a 30-day cease-fire proposal, many in the country were skeptical about whether Russia would do the same.
The deeper discussion of a European force comes amid rising anger and dismay over President Trump’s embrace of Russia and abandonment of traditional allies.
American and Ukrainian representatives are meeting in Saudi Arabia, but the United States, Ukraine and Russia envisage very different paths to peace.
The assault, which the mayor called the largest on Russia’s capital since the war began, was a reminder of Ukraine’s power to strike as its president proposes an air truce.
The Ukrainian leader’s approval rating is rising, and critics have backed off after he was humiliated and criticized by President Trump, who has also demanded new elections in Ukraine.
But as Ukraine prepares to meet with U.S. officials, Ukrainian soldiers say they are bracing for attacks to take advantage of a pause in U.S. intelligence.
The publication of the detailed analysis was a sign that a cease-fire has gone from a theoretical exercise to an urgent and practical issue.
Russia has retaken about two-thirds of the territory Ukraine seized last summer in the Kursk region of Russia, but at a fearful cost in lives.