LONDON – This Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for critical discussions on bolstering support for Ukraine.
The alliance between the U.K., France, and Germany, known as the E3, has been steadfast in backing Ukraine since Russia launched its extensive invasion in February 2022. Both the U.K. and France spearhead the “coalition of the willing,” an initiative aimed at providing Ukraine with security assurances as part of a broader peace strategy.
The forthcoming meeting follows a significant Ukrainian drone strike on Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, highlighting Kyiv’s increasing capability to conduct operations deep within Russian territory. According to Governor Alexander Beglov, the attack on Saturday left three individuals with minor injuries and prompted authorities to advise residents to remain indoors.
As the war’s front lines remain largely unchanged, with drones frequently stalling advances, both parties are seeking advantages through extended-range assaults. The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion over four years ago, shows no signs of resolution.
The drone strike in Saint Petersburg, occurring shortly after the city’s premier economic forum concluded, posed a significant embarrassment to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It challenged his narrative that the war is a remote issue, removed from everyday Russian life.
On Friday, Putin dismissed Zelenskyy’s proposal for a meeting, stating there is “no point” in such discussions.
Meanwhile, a Russian attack Sunday killed three people and wounded one as they were waiting for a bus in Balabyne in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, the head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov, wrote on his Telegram channel.
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