Shorouk Express
European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gathered in Paris on Thursday for a summit aimed at boosting Ukrainian security ahead of any potential ceasefire with Russia.
During the meeting, European leaders will aim at finding a collective response to United States President Donald Trump’s intention to ease sanctions on Moscow as an incentive to stop fighting Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone conversation with Trump on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday’s summit, the Elysée said Thursday, according to Le Monde.
On Feb. 24, the EU hit Russia with a 16th package of sanctions targeting aluminum imports, shadow fleet vessels and exports of chemicals, chrome and other materials used in precision machine tools.
“In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Costa wrote in a joint statement announcing the sanctions.
While Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire under pressure from the U.S., Russia, which has not slowed down its assault, has demanded that sanctions on its agri banks and shadow fleet be lifted. The Kremlin also wants to inspect Ukrainian vessels in the sea corridor Kyiv reestablished by striking Russia’s navy after Moscow exited the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023.
