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Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko offered to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks that would include US officials, in an interview published on Wednesday. Lukashenko’s offer came after US President Donald Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had sent him a letter saying that Ukraine was ready to begin talks with Russia. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.
France trying to re-establish link between US and Ukraine, government spokewoman says
France is working on re-establishing the link between the United States and Ukraine so that a “lasting and robust peace” can be obtained, government spokeswoman Sophie Primas said on Wednesday.
“We have proposed a truce. That is what is being studied within the negotiations with the United States. France and Europe are trying to reestablish a link between the United States and Ukraine,” Primas told LCI television.
Macron to address nation on Wednesday evening
French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a public addres on Wednesday at 8:00 pm, local time.
“My dear compatriots. At this time of great uncertainty, when the world is facing its greatest challenges, I will address you this evening at 8:00 pm”, he wrote in a message posted on social media.
Belarus president proposes hosting Ukraine-Russia peace talks
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko offered in an interview published on Wednesday to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks that could involve US officials.
“Tell (US President Donald) Trump that I expect him here with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelensky,” Lukashenko said in a video interview with US blogger Mario Nawfal recorded on February 27, the official Belta news agency reported.
Lukashenko is a close Putin ally and his country is under US and European sanctions over its support for Russia’s military action in Ukraine and a government crackdown on the opposition. Russia used Belarusian territory to send some troops into Ukraine in 2022.
Trump says Zelensky ready for Russia talks and US mineral deal
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told him Kyiv was ready for talks with Russia and a US minerals deal, days after a White House clash.
“I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine. The letter reads, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” Trump said in an address to Congress.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” Trump quoted Zelensky as writing. “We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump added that Zelensky said he was ready to sign the minerals deal “at any time that is convenient for you”.
Welcome to our liveblog covering the war in Ukraine. To catch up on yesterday’s events, click here.
- US President Donald Trump halted US military aid to Ukraine, with deliveries stopping in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Washington took the decision without consulting its NATO allies.
- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said that his country would do everything necessary to “hold out” against the Russian invasion despite Trump’s decision to halt US military aid.
- The European Commission proposed new joint EU borrowing of 150 billion euros to lend to EU governments for defence as part of an overall 800 billion total financing effort to boost Europe‘s defence capabilities.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a “truce” with Russia and emphasised Ukraine’s intention to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to secure a lasting peace.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
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