US and Europe Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Tensions

The US will hold talks in Paris with European counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with a focus on putting pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.

US, Ukrainian, and European officials held high-level talks in Paris, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with their British, French, and German counterparts. The talks were described as an "excellent exchange" and provided a "very strong strategic opportunity." A US-authored outline of a peace plan received an "encouraging reception," which Rubio then conveyed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Witkoff for "spreading Russian narratives," while US President Donald Trump stated that the US would be "hearing" from Moscow soon regarding the US proposal for a ceasefire. Further meetings are planned for next week in London.

Poland's foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "mocking" US President Donald Trump's peace efforts in Ukraine after a deadly strike in Sumy killed 34 people, including two children. Sikorski urged Trump to take steps to counter Putin's continued war in Ukraine, saying Russia's actions were a "mocking answer" to Ukraine's unilateral ceasefire agreement over a month ago. The strike came just over a week after Russia struck Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown, killing 19 people, including nine children. European leaders, including Germany's chancellor-designate and France's foreign minister, condemned the attacks and called for tougher sanctions on Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, describing the talks as a "very important occasion for convergence". The meetings, which also involved Ukrainian officials and representatives from Britain and Germany, aimed to rekindle stalled ceasefire efforts amid transatlantic tensions. Macron and Rubio emphasized the need for a robust and sustainable peace, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to pressure Russia to agree to a ceasefire, accusing Witkoff of "spreading Russian narratives" over comments on Ukraine's occupied territories.

European officials are seeking to establish direct communication with President Trump, as they are skeptical that his aides accurately represent his views. They have found that unconventional interlocutors, such as Elon Musk and special envoys like Steve Witkoff, are more effective than traditional diplomats. Trump is seen as an unpredictable decision-maker who prioritizes unilateralism over multilateral institutions, and his officials often do not consult European allies on key issues, such as recent talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Despite cordial meetings with officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, Europeans remain uncertain about their influence on Trump's foreign policy and trade decisions, with some officials, like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, admitting they are merely messengers rather than decision-makers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to secure a permanent airbase in Indonesia is unlikely to succeed due to Indonesia's long-standing commitment to a "free and independent" foreign policy and non-alignment. Despite this, Russia has wider ambitions in the region, seeking to become a "Euro-Pacific power" and expand its influence in South-east Asia. Russia has been a key arms supplier to the region and has made economic overtures to Indonesia, including discussions on free trade and marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. The region's strategic importance, including its proximity to US bases in Australia and the Philippines, makes it an attractive target for Russia. Russia's efforts are also driven by a desire to fill the power vacuum created by the unpredictable leadership of former US President Donald Trump and to find new markets for its arms industry. While Indonesia is unlikely to grant Russia a permanent base, the attempt has raised questions about regional security and the US's influence in the area.

A Pew Research Center poll found that the percentage of Americans who view Russia as an "enemy" has dropped to its lowest level since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, largely due to shifting views among Republicans amid changes in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump.