Meeting of ‘coalition of the willing’ in Paris

EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.

Ahead of the talks, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said a 21st package of sanctions against Russia had not yet been agreed.

“We are hoping to get consent for 250 listings… this is the largest number of listings we have done so far,” Kailas said.

“When it comes to the 21st package, there are still some open questions,” he said.

Callas also said there would be discussions about prisoners of war, child abductees and civilians held in occupied territories.

Upon arriving in Brussels, Callas said, “These are teachers, these are journalists. We have NGOs here in Ukraine who are dealing with this, and we are also discussing what else we can do.”

Western allies supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression, the Coalition of the Willing, are meeting in Paris.

The French president said on Friday that the summit, initiated by France and the United Kingdom to provide military aid, would push for a ceasefire and renewed peace talks.

At least 25 heads of state are taking part in the talks, which take place a day before France’s national holiday of Bastille Day, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Elysee said the talks were taking place at a “powerful moment of renewed transatlantic convergence and unity” as well as “more favorable developments on the ground” for Kyiv.

Coalition leaders are also expected to focus on air and missile defense cooperation, the officials were quoted as saying, adding that the Multinational Force for Ukraine, which will be deployed after the fighting ends, will be declared ready.

Ukraine has strengthened security on its border with Belarus and warned President Alexander Lukashenko against Russia’s deeper involvement in the war. Belarus remains a major source of logistics support for Moscow. Could that role be expanded?

At least three people have been reported killed in Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow, according to local officials.

Three people were killed when a drone crashed in the village of Pionersky, west of Moscow, regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said.

“Five private houses caught fire,” Vorobyov said in a post on Telegram.

Vorobyov also said a drone struck an apartment building in the Moscow region city of Solnechnogorsk, injuring two people.

He said 81 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight in the area.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said 342 Ukrainian drones were downed in several areas overnight.

Ukraine is pushing ever deeper into Russia as it continues to defend itself against a full-scale invasion by its neighbor.

Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ukraine’s allies will gather on Monday to reaffirm support for Kiev and step up pressure on Russia to end its ongoing aggression.

The summit, to be held the day before Bastille Day, will be attended by at least 25 heads of state — including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will stop for a military parade on the Champs Elysees.

We are also following the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the 21st sanctions package on Russia still needed to be worked out.

Stay tuned as we bring you details of those events and more.