Diplomatic efforts have largely stalled since March 2022, with no direct talks between the two sides for over a year. The last round of negotiations in Istanbul produced a peace proposal that was later abandoned, and since then, dialogue has been limited to exchanges of prisoners of war and deceased soldiers

According to the findings, Storm-1516 has conducted at least 77 coordinated influence campaigns since 2023, targeting not only France but also Ukraine and numerous Western democracies. These operations are part of what officials describe as an intensifying information war being waged by the Kremlin

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine condemned the sentences, calling them a clear attempt by Russian authorities to silence dissent and intimidate those documenting human rights abuses

The meeting, held in Paris, comes as tensions escalate over stalled truce negotiations and continued military hostilities. Macron, addressing the press alongside Zelensky, declared the talks a "decisive phase to put an end to the war of aggression" by Russia

The Ukrainian Air Force responded to the attacks, issuing air raid alerts across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy. Ukrainian officials also warned of a potential ballistic missile threat during the bombardment

The company’s financial woes have been further compounded by plummeting share prices in its subsidiary, Gazprom Neft, and a newly imposed income tax hike to 25%, which has significantly increased its deferred tax liabilities

The announcement comes amid escalating violence, including significant advances by Russian forces in the Kursk Oblast and a massive aerial assault on March 6-7, which involved 67 missiles and 194 drones targeting Ukrainian infrastructure

The statement escalated tensions as French President Emmanuel Macron described Russia as a significant threat to France and Europe, calling for a united front against what he termed Russian aggression

Macron’s late-evening speech appeared to be a calculated move to reassure the French populace amidst growing concerns over the war in Ukraine, European security, and escalating trade tensions with the United States

A French official stated that the deployment of nuclear-capable jets in Germany would send a strong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring France’s commitment to European defense

"I have not decided to send troops to Ukraine tomorrow, no," Macron said during an online interaction with French social media users. "What we are considering instead is sending forces to guarantee peace once it has been negotiated"

While President Donald Trump has ruled out a full withdrawal of American forces from Europe, concerns are mounting that Washington may pull troops from NATO member states that joined the alliance after 1990

The primary objective appears to be securing Toretsk ahead of a broader push toward Kostiantynivka. Reports indicate that Russian troops have adopted scorched-earth tactics, targeting Ukrainian defenses and critical infrastructure in an attempt to weaken resistance

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that shattered windows and thick smoke filled building entrances in the affected neighborhoods. Additionally, a water pipeline in the Shevchenkivskyi district sustained damage, further complicating the situation for residents