Overview
- An EU Commission spokesperson said the bloc will at some point have to negotiate with Vladimir Putin, echoing calls by France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to resume dialogue, Politico reported.
- Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzya stated Moscow has never shut the door to discussions with Europe on Ukraine.
- Russia’s OSCE representative Dmitry Poliansky warned any Western military contingent in Ukraine would be an unacceptable presence and a lawful target, as the UK’s defence chief said Britain will not deploy troops without confidence in their safety.
- EU governments are split over a €90 billion support package for Ukraine, with Germany and the Netherlands backing purchases from U.S. and other third-country suppliers and France pushing to prioritize European firms; the Commission is expected to present its plan on Wednesday, Politico reported.
- Reports indicate U.S.–Russia contacts continue despite tensions, including meetings in Paris involving Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev and U.S. representatives.