In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on May 13, Macron discussed new Russia sanctions and stationing French nuclear weapons in other European countries as a deterrent against Russia.
Performing their song "Bird of Pray," Ukrainian band Ziferblat passed the Eurovision semi-finals on May 13, qualifying Ukraine for the grand final on May 17.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on May 15 for direct peace talks with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov will likely represent Russia.
The move follows Ukraine's ratification of the minerals agreement, deepening U.S.-Ukraine economic ties and signaling expanded U.S. involvement in Ukraine's long-term recovery.
"Ukraine has initiated a coordinated campaign to vilify Hungary in order to undermine our initiative to hold a poll on (Kyiv's) EU membership," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin chooses to attend the talks there.
Ukraine hopes the summit will address several key issues, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of deported children, global food security, and other topics.
"There are two days of active work ahead with countries from all corners of the world, with different peoples" who are united by the goal of bringing "a just and lasting peace for Ukraine closer," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 14 as he arrived in Switzerland.
"The peace summit will enable the global majority to take concrete steps in areas that are important to everyone in the world: nuclear and food security, the return of prisoners of war, and all deported persons, including deported Ukrainian children," Zelensky added.
Among the participants is Saudi Arabia, despite reports earlier in June that the country was not planning to attend the summit. Zelensky made a previously unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia on June 12.
China is not attending, despite having been invited. Reports emerged on June 13 that Beijing was pushing its alternative peace plan.
Brazil, the Holy See, the U.N., and the Ecumenical Patriarchate are attending the summit not as full participants, but as observers.
The U.S. will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Reports that President Joe Biden would not attend the event prompted Zelensky to say in May that his absence would "only be met by an applause by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, a personal, standing applause by Putin."
"I believe that the peace summit needs President Biden, and other leaders need President Biden because they will look at the U.S.'s reaction," Zelensky said.
Biden is unable to attend the summit because it clashes with a campaign fundraiser.
Andrea Januta
