© 34th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade The topic of guarantees will be key at today's meeting in France.
European leaders are stepping up consultations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid concerns about a possible new Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, with the focus on security guarantees for Kyiv and the role of the United States in countering the Kremlin.
This is reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.
Last week, during a Security Council meeting in Toulon, German and French officials discussed the concentration of Russian troops near Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the Donetsk region. According to Zelensky, Russia has deployed about 100,000 soldiers to the area. Russia has been trying to surround the city for more than a year, but to no avail.
If Pokrovsk falls, Russian troops will have the opportunity to launch an offensive on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key cities for control over the entire Donetsk region.
The leaders' meeting in Paris, hosted by France, is expected to be the next stage in talks on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Poland, as well as Zelensky, are expected to attend. The leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and the US special envoy Steve Witkoff will join the discussion remotely.
One of the key topics will be the role of Washington. European allies are seeking clear commitments from the US, in particular on the possible strengthening of sanctions against Russia. Paris also emphasizes that Europe has done its utmost to support Kyiv, and the next step should be taken by the American president. During a meeting with Zelensky in Paris, Emmanuel Macron said that Europe is ready to provide security guarantees to Kyiv.
Despite Donald Trump's statements of wanting to help end the war, including his recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Moscow has shown no willingness to negotiate a ceasefire. The US president has also threatened new sanctions, but has yet to implement them.
Europeans are discussing various models of security guarantees, including the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine after the end of active hostilities. The idea is controversial among allies, while Russia says it is unacceptable for it to have foreign troops in the country. Trump, for his part, has ruled out the possibility of sending American troops, but has expressed a willingness to provide air and intelligence support.
Let us recall that over the past 23 months, Russian troops have only been able to occupy about 1% of Ukraine's territory.
