Overview

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron held a three-hour summit at Palazzo Chigi, issuing a joint declaration committing to a stronger, more sovereign Europe and reaffirming support for Ukraine’s defense.
• Vladimir Putin told President Trump in a private call that Russia will respond forcefully to recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, underscoring an escalation in tensions.
• In his first conversation with Pope Leo XIV since the war began, Putin discussed humanitarian concerns and the release of prisoners while the Pope urged Russia to take a gesture that would favor peace.
• The United States sent its NATO ambassador rather than the defense secretary to the Ramstein contact group, prompting European allies to voice concern over a potential reduction in American commitment to Ukraine.
• On the battlefield, a Russian drone raid on Pryluky killed at least five civilians and negotiators are preparing an exchange of roughly 500 prisoners each side expected to take place this weekend.