Allies of Kyiv intensify efforts to aid Ukraine in its conflict against Russia.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave a press conference following a meeting he hosted with 20 leaders from Western nations, as a display of solidarity for Ukraine. The country has been engaged in a conflict with Russia for three years now.
At the meeting, he stated that there was no agreement on deploying troops to Ukraine, but the possibility was not completely disregarded.
At this point, there is no agreement to deploy soldiers to the area, the speaker stated. He also emphasized that no options are off the table and they will take necessary measures to prevent Russia from succeeding.
The leader of France stated during his initial remarks that “our top priority is to guarantee our shared security, both now and in the future.” He organized the hastily put-together meeting due to the increase in aggressive actions by Russia.
“In recent months, we have observed Russia taking a stronger stance,” stated Macron. “Additionally, we are aware that Russia is planning new assaults, specifically targeting Ukrainian public sentiment,” he explained during his initial comments.
During the meeting, French President Macron expressed a belief that it is imperative that Russia does not emerge victorious in the war. The meeting was attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and leaders from the Baltic countries.
Leaders and delegates from European countries and other Western nations meet at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 26, 2024.
The president of France stated that EU officials have acknowledged the need for preparation against potential Russian attacks in the future. He also emphasized the importance of increased support for Ukraine’s financial and military needs.
“We are in consensus that we do not desire conflict with the people of Russia, however, we are committed to maintaining control and preventing further escalation,” he stated. He also mentioned that the purpose of the gathering at the presidential residence was to discuss ways to increase support for military and budget-related matters among those in attendance.
Via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed Macron’s concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict when addressing the leaders.
He stated that it is necessary to prevent Putin from undermining our progress and spreading his aggression to other countries.
Following the meeting, the Netherlands declared their intention to donate, according to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday, 100 million euros ($108.47 million) to a Czech plan to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from various nations. He expressed optimism that other countries will also choose to support this initiative.
After the meeting in Paris, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that approximately 15 countries have expressed interest in the initiative. The goal of this initiative is to locate artillery ammunition for Ukraine using resources from global markets.
Fiala informed reporters that several states participating in the talks have agreed to the initiative, or her colleagues have indicated that they will address it promptly.
He stated that ultimately, there will be significant support for the action, and he predicts it will involve 15 states.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said countries at the Paris meeting had asked their defense ministers to come up with plans in the next 10 days to deliver more munitions to Ukraine.
Peace plan
The Russian government, on Monday, dismissed Ukraine’s proposal for peace negotiations without Russian involvement as ludicrous. This comes after President Zelenskyy expressed optimism at a forum in Kyiv that the planned peace summit, hosted by Switzerland, will address Ukraine’s efforts to bring an end to the ongoing war.
Zelenskyy told reporters Sunday he hopes the peace summit will take place in spring. “We must not lose this diplomatic initiative,” he said. “We will offer a platform on which [Putin] can agree that he lost this war and that it was a mistake. A big mistake.”
On February 25, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he addressed questions from the media.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, informed journalists, “We have previously stated that this format is unusual, to say the least. It is amusing and absurd that peace initiatives are being carried out without Russia’s involvement.”
The chief of staff for Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak, has suggested the idea that Ukraine and its international allies may extend an invitation to Russia for a summit in order to negotiate an end to Moscow’s attack on Kyiv according to Ukraine’s conditions.
Zelenskyy’s proposal for peace includes reinstating Ukraine’s complete control over its territory and a complete removal of Russian military forces.
At present, Ukraine has faced challenges in the ongoing conflict. A representative from the army stated on Monday that Ukrainian soldiers have withdrawn from a village located west of the recently captured Russian city of Avdiivka in the eastern region of the nation.
According to a spokesperson from one of the Ukrainian troop groupings, the soldiers in Kyiv faced a recent defeat in Lastochkyne village. As a result, they have regrouped in nearby villages to defend their positions. This statement was made on national television by Dmytro Lykhovii on Monday.
Lykhovii stated that the Ukrainian soldiers were greatly outnumbered and overpowered by the strength of Moscow’s military, prompting Ukraine to withdraw them from the village and establish a defense in another location.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia reported that their soldiers have “freed” Lastochkyne.
According to the Associated Press, Andrei Mordvichev, a Russian commander, has stated that Russian forces have advanced and pushed back Ukrainian troops by 10 kilometers (equivalent to approximately 6.2 miles). The offensive is reportedly ongoing, as reported by the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti. The news agency also mentioned that the town of Lastochkyne is a crucial supply route for Ukraine.
The claims could not be authenticated by AP.
In Dnipro, Ukraine on February 26th, 2024, a resident was seen preparing a damaged car to be towed from a residential building that had been hit by a Russian drone strike during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military reported on Monday that Russia launched an attack on the country overnight, using 14 drones and six missiles.
Officials installed by Russia in Ukraine, which is currently under Russian control, announced on Monday that for the first time, Moscow’s forces have successfully destroyed a U.S.-made Abrams tank in Ukraine.
“Our soldiers have stated from the start that these tanks would be destroyed just like others,” Kremlin spokesperson Peskov said in reference to previous incidents of Russia claiming to have destroyed Western weapons in Ukraine, as stated by state news agency RIA.
At this time, Reuters is unable to verify a video circulating on social media claiming to depict a burning Abrams tank.
In September of last year, the United States started providing the Abrams tanks to the military forces in Ukraine.
On Monday, in the Belgorod region of Russia, which borders Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that a Ukrainian drone strike on a car resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to three others.
The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters provided some details for this narrative.
Source: voanews.com
