Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron, President of France. In addition, the speakers will provide an update on their work to engage Ukraine in the ongoing diplomatic push to end this war. This meeting followed up on that joint press conference together last month at the Élysée Palace. During that event, both leaders directly addressed the pressing humanitarian needs created by that war and stressed the importance of international cooperation.
This meeting comes during an unprecedented time of escalation and tension in Ukraine. It comes against the backdrop of Russia’s brutal military aggression. A recent overnight Russian attack on Dnipro left at least three people dead. The attack wounded over a dozen others. These breaking events have highlighted the need for diplomacy now more than ever.
In addition to the meeting in Paris, Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, delivered a speech in London where he candidly acknowledged the economic ramifications of Brexit. In it, he declared that there is an urgent need to “face facts” about its effects on the UK economy.
“So we must all now confront the reality that the Brexit deal we have significantly hurt our economy and so for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions.” – UK Prime Minister
Starmer argued that building a new pragmatic relationship with the European Union is key to economic renewal post-COVID. He has been vocal about Britain needing to become an open trading economy. He further illuminated that crafting these connections requires compromise.
“We have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU, and we have to be grown up about that, to accept that this will require trade-offs.” – UK Prime Minister
At the same time, efforts to find a peaceful resolution to Ukraine’s crisis are still taking shape. Kushner and Witkoff are expected to depart for Moscow Monday to engage in high-level peace talks. Those negotiators from Ukraine’s Rada joined American officials in Florida to launch a new initiative. In a bit of wishful thinking, they examined Washington’s proposed outline for ending the war.
Andriy Yermak had started out as an intellectual property lawyer, then had produced such B-movies as the Sheriff of the Bronx. Today he is arguably the most important player – politically – to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in these negotiations. Yermak has been instrumental in managing Ukraine’s foreign policy and has frequently liaised with national security advisers from allied nations. It’s his decisive leadership in multi-lateral diplomatic negotiations that has made him a key player in Ukraine’s fight for peace.
Yermak’s impact extends beyond the other sides of negotiation tables. He serves as Zelenskyyy’s chief political enforcer, arbitrating between rival ministers and orchestrating key government decisions. His involvement in peace talks underscores Ukraine’s strategy of engaging international partners while seeking to strengthen its position against ongoing Russian aggression.
E.U. foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that this week could be decisive for diplomacy over Ukraine. To that end, she stressed the importance of sustained support for Ukraine as it continues to deal with Russia’s military invasion.
“It is clear that [Russia] does not want peace, and therefore we need to make Ukraine as strong as possible in order for them to be ready to stand up for themselves in this very, very difficult time,” – Kaja Kallas
Kallas further shone a light on the struggles Ukraine has been facing during this time.
“The Ukrainians are there alone.” – Kaja Kallas
Across the border in Lithuania, authorities have sounded alarms about increasing illicit smuggling operations tied to Belarus. National security officials claim that balloon smugglers have been importing contraband Lithuanian cigarettes into America with balloons. Karolis Aleksa, government spokesperson, said the last few years have seen a significant intensification of these activities. He described them as “hybrid action” directed at Lithuania.
With channels of diplomacy still open and further discussions reportedly taking place, the world’s eyes are trained on the UAE. The impact of this ongoing war in Ukraine and what it means for security and stability in the region has dominated headlines across the globe.