From Macron’s empty troop pledge to a faltering sanctions regime, the EU’s Ukraine posture is performative without US power

Russia has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukraine’s European allies say Putin needs to agree to a ceasefire first.

U.S. and European officials persuaded President Volodymyr Zelensky to represent Ukraine at upcoming peace talks in Istanbul despite Russia's evasiveness about who it would send, the Washington Post (WP) reported on May 14,

Trump earlier this week met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and announced plans to ease sanctions on the war-torn country. The U.S. has deployed more than 1,000 troops in Syria for years to suppress a return of the Islamic State group.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky calls Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send his aide 'a sign of cowardice' - Anadolu Ajansı

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said he does not believe Russia will agree to a ceasefire and emphasised Europe’s determination to ramp up pressure on Moscow. Source: Pistorius in an interview with German TV channel ZDF,

NBC News’ Keir Simmons journeyed inside the confines of the Moscow fortress to hear from President Vladimir Putin, as the U.S. and Europe hope to push Russia and Ukraine toward accepting a 30-day ceasefire.

The Russian despot has tightened his security and rarely leaves his Kremlin security bubble out of fear of a Ukrainian kill squad, anti-Kremlin plotters or killers from within his inner-circle