At a high-stakes Paris summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined a bold plan to safeguard his country’s skies through a new format led by the United States. His proposal follows talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and a gathering of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” which included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and other European leaders.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Joint Air Defense Network: Zelenskyy pitched an integrated system combining U.S. radar, allied missile batteries, and real-time intelligence sharing to deter further strikes and reinforce deterrence.
- Oil Sanctions Push: Trump told European partners to stop buying Russian oil, warning that those funds fuel the conflict.
- Ceasefire Support: French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 mainly European countries have pledged to deploy troops—off the front lines—to back a future Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire.
- Weapons Debate: The U.S. approved the sale of 3,350 air-launched Extended-Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argued this move contradicts diplomatic efforts and risks prolonging the conflict.
Zelenskyy hailed Europe’s troop commitment as a “concrete step forward” and said a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin—bilateral or trilateral—is necessary to advance peace talks. As the war enters its next phase, this blend of military readiness and diplomatic outreach could reshape the path to conflict resolution.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
