In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s security in the post-Ukraine conflict era, France is hosting a summit of European leaders in Paris, with a focus on providing security guarantees for the country ahead of a potential ceasefire deal with Russia.
A summit of European leaders in Paris aims to lay out plans for a ‘coalition of the willing’ to provide security to Ukraine after any potential ceasefire with Russia. The French presidency has called for increased unity among European countries to support Ukraine, which has been facing deadly airstrikes from Russia.
Ukraine is a vast country located in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland to the west, Hungary and Slovakia to the southwest, Romania and Moldova to the south.
Its terrain varies from rolling hills to steppes and forests.
Ukraine's climate ranges from temperate to continental, with cold winters and warm summers.
The country has a diverse geography, featuring the Carpathian Mountains in the west, the Crimean Peninsula in the south, and the Dnieper River flowing through its center.
European Leaders Gather in Paris for Summit on Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting European leaders, including his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Paris to discuss possible security guarantees for Ukraine ahead of a potential ceasefire deal with Russia. The summit comes as tensions between Europe and Russia remain high, with the French presidency calling for increased unity among European countries to support Ukraine.
What to Expect from the Paris Summit
Thursday’s summit will focus on providing security guarantees for Ukraine, including the option of sending European peacekeeping forces to the country once a ceasefire deal is sealed. The Ukrainian president has called for ‘strong decisions’ at the summit, and has expressed concerns about the US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.
Russia’s Continued Support for Ukraine
Despite the ongoing conflict, North Korea has continued to aid Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, with around 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to support Russian forces. The deployment of these troops is seen as a significant escalation of the conflict and raises concerns about the potential use of nuclear weapons.
EU’s Dependence on Russian Gas
The European Union‘s reliance on Russian gas has increased by 18% in 2024, despite efforts to phase out Russian energy sources. The imports came at a time when gas prices surged by nearly 60% in 2024 in the EU. The bloc aims to reduce its dependence on Russian gas but faces challenges due to geopolitical tensions with the US.
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Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest reporting on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Follow us for updates on the Paris summit and the latest developments in the conflict.
