This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
French Rafale fighter jets sit on the main deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, during its anchor at the Mormugao Port, in Goa on January 4, 2025 (Punit Paranjpe / AFP)
France could deploy jet fighters equipped with nuclear weapons to Germany to send a "strong message" to Russia, the Telegraph reported on Feb. 24.
A French official speaking to the Telegraph said deploying fighter jets to Germany "should not be difficult and would send a strong message," and would also pressure U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make a similar move.
France is thought to have 300 nuclear weapons in its' 'force de dissuasion' program, with both sea and air-based launch systems.
Meanwhile, the U.K.'s Trident nuclear deterrent comprises four Vanguard-class submarines, each capable of carrying up to 16 warheads.
The Telegraph report came on the same day that French President Emmanuel Macron met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House where they discussed the future of support for Ukraine and possible peace negotiations.
At a press conference after the pair met, Macron said that Europe needs U.S. support in any peace agreement "because this is part of the credibility of security guarantees," but he also urged Europeans to take greater responsibility for safeguarding the continent.
Before he met Trump, Macron talked to Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be Germany's next chancellor. Merz has also called on Britain and France to extend their nuclear protection as he seeks "independence" for Europe from the U.S.
"If those who really do not just make 'America first,' but almost 'America alone' their motto prevail, then it will be difficult," he said on Feb. 24.
"But I remain hopeful that we will succeed in maintaining the transatlantic relationship," he added.
Andrea Januta
