Putin has 'something to back his confidence with', analyst says

NATO foreign ministers convened in Brussels to address the ongoing threat posed by Russia amid the continued conflict in Ukraine. With no significant progress towards peace, European leaders are intensifying military support efforts for Ukraine.

The Eurovision Song Contest is facing a critical decision as its organizing body may vote on Israel's participation in the 2026 competition, amid threats from several nations to withdraw if Israel is not excluded due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. This situation marks a significant moment for the contest, as it navigates political tensions while aiming to maintain its cultural integrity.

An Algerian appeals court upheld a seven-year prison sentence for French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was convicted on terrorism-related charges. Gleizes, 36, is currently the only journalist from France imprisoned abroad, and his case has emerged amid rising diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in China for a three-day state visit aimed at enhancing trade relations and discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with President Xi Jinping. The French president seeks to engage Beijing in pressuring Russia towards a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of global governance and Xi's participation in the upcoming G7 summit in France.

The European Union has proposed a plan to utilize frozen Russian assets to provide €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years, amid ongoing financial challenges due to the prolonged conflict with Russia. Belgium has expressed significant concerns regarding this initiative, labeling it as potentially unlawful and destabilizing.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to negotiate a peace plan for Ukraine. However, the discussions ended without a compromise, highlighting the ongoing challenges in reaching an agreement. Putin's rejection of the latest proposal underscores the Kremlin's dominant position in the negotiations.

European Union lawmakers and member states have reached a significant agreement to ban all imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027, aiming to reduce financial support for Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This decision reflects a compromise between various EU stakeholders, with the European Parliament advocating for a quicker ban.

A cultural initiative titled Season of Ukraine – Journey to Ukraine: culture strikes back is set to take place from December 2025 to March 2026, featuring 50 events across various cities in France. This event aims to highlight the contributions of Ukrainian artists and foster cultural connections between Ukraine and France, as discussed by Ukrainian author Andrei Kurkov in an interview with FRANCE 24.