Location at an overview: Ukraine and the USA are planning a new meeting – Scholz at EU summit

Immediately before an EU crisis meeting to Ukraine in Brussels, the United States and the country attacked by Russia are approaching. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj said in his evening video message: “Today our teams – that of Ukraine and the USA – started preparing a meeting.” Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron checks whether allies could move under the protective shield of the nuclear weapons of his country. He will also be planning an international meeting for the possible posting of peacekeepers to Ukraine next week.

In Brussels, the EU heads of state and government today want to advise on their response to their reaction to the unprecedented disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Selenskyj on Friday. The meeting in the White House had been demolished prematurely, a planned raw material agreement did not come about, the USA exposed its arms aid. At the EU special summit, the increase in defense spending is intended to further support Ukraine and to significantly improve the European defense capacity.

Confidence -building measures for the Russian side

Selenskyj said that to prepare for a meeting with the United States, his law firm Andrij Jermak had telephoned with US security advisor Michael Waltz. “We see a new dynamic.” The first results may already exist next week. Anyone who should take part in a possible meeting remained open.

Waltz told Fox News: “I think we are moving in a positive direction.” At the moment one is talking to the Ukrainians about “a place, a date, a negotiation team”. “Trust -forming measures” should also be a topic at the meeting. After all, these should be submitted to the Russian side, “to test” as they react to it. “Yesterday and today there were a positive step forward to say: We will lead these peace negotiations”.

According to Jermak, steps for “a fair and permanent peace” were discussed. There was also an exchange of views on questions of security and harmonizing bilateral relationships. A meeting in the near future has been agreed.

Macron takes the initiative

Meanwhile, Macron is considering putting ally countries under the protection of French nuclear weapons. Macron said in a television speech in the evening that France’s nuclear deterrence has always played a role in maintaining peace and security in Europe since 1964.

“But in response to the historical call of the future German Chancellor, I decided to open the strategic debate about the protection of our allies on the European continent through our deterrent.” The sovereignty over the French nuclear weapons remains in the hands of France.

The likely future Chancellor Friedrich Merz had stimulated talks with the European nuclear powers about a nuclear participation of Germany in the election campaign. In addition to France, this would be Great Britain. Macron’s initiative for the involvement of partner countries in the nuclear deterrence of France is not new. For the first time, Macron in 2020 had suggested an expansion of the nuclear protective shield of France to European partner countries in a much -noticed fundamental speech. In view of the U-defense policy, the idea gives the idea new up-to-date.

Macron is also planning an international meeting for the possible posting of peace troops to Ukraine in the coming week. “So that Ukraine is not attacked by Russia again after a peace conclusion, we have to prepare it for it,” he said. “Next week we will gather the heads of general staff in Paris who take on their responsibility in this regard.”

Macron called for long -term support from the Ukrainian army. Perhaps European armed forces would also be sent for this, he said. “These would not fight today that they would not fight on the front line, but they would be there after the signing of peace to ensure compliance,” said Macron.

Selenskyj thanked Macron on platform X: “Peace must be real, not just a word – it must not mean the surrender or collapse of Ukraine. It must be fair, reliable and permanent, and this can only be achieved by strong and long -term security guarantees – for Ukraine, Europe and the whole world.”

Coordination between Merz and Scholz

Selenskyj is also included at the EU summit in Brussels today. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) travels to Belgium for Germany. Probably future Chancellor Merz (CDU) arrived in Brussels on Wednesday evening and met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte and the EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas. On Thursday he takes part in a meeting with conservative heads of government – but not at the summit itself.

Merz and Scholz voted on Wednesday at a meeting in the Chancellery so that they speak in a voice in Brussels. “We have to be able to defend ourselves so that we don’t have to defend ourselves,” Merz wrote after his arrival in Brussels on X. “Now the time is to make Europe safer and more defensive.”

Looking for money for upgrading

The EU countries largely agree that defense spending must be increased significantly. For many governments, however, the question arises where the money should come from. The plan of the EU Commission on the upgrading of Europe is discussed, which is also to be financed with EU loans and changed regulations when lending the European investment bank.

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Slovak colleague Robert Fico have already signaled their resistance to a joint declaration of summit in favor of Ukraine. Both support Trump’s course in the Ukraine conflict and maintain close relationships with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine remains in trouble

Ukraine is still exposed to Russian blows. So a Russian rocket hit the Krywyj Rih industrial city at night. At least two people were killed and seven more injured. Other victims were suspected under the ruins of a multi -storey building.