French President Emmanuel Macron called Vladimir Putin a “predator” as Ukraine peace talks advance, while Russia launched mass strikes and Trump warned Moscow may resist a deal despite European security guarantees.
Imran Malik – WEBDESK — French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday labeled Vladimir Putin a “predator” while endorsing a renewed international push for peace talks on Ukraine, even as Russia answered with mass drone and missile strikes following high-level meetings in Washington.
The strikes, among the heaviest this month, targeted multiple Ukrainian cities just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump concluded talks on a possible path to end the war. Residents in Kyiv reported explosions that shook neighborhoods, underscoring the risks of diplomacy unfolding alongside active combat.
Trump, while pledging U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, cautioned that Putin “may not want to make a deal,” reflecting skepticism about Moscow’s willingness to engage. The Kremlin, meanwhile, downplayed Zelenskyy’s discussions in Washington, portraying them as political theater without concrete outcomes.
READ MORE: Diplomacy under fire: Trump confirms Ukraine peace talks as Russia escalates strikes
European capitals are split on the next steps. Macron’s sharp rhetoric against Putin was paired with support for fresh diplomatic efforts, while defense officials confirmed that around 10 European allies are willing to send troops to Ukraine in non-combat roles. Negotiations on long-term security guarantees for Kyiv are also accelerating, with NATO partners weighing options from training missions to defensive commitments.
In Kyiv, reactions to Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit and talks with Trump were mixed. Some residents expressed cautious optimism that international pressure could bring relief after nearly three years of war. Others worried that Russia’s intensified strikes signaled its refusal to compromise.
As missiles fell and diplomacy advanced in parallel, analysts warned that any peace effort must balance Ukraine’s security needs with Western skepticism over Russia’s intentions. For many Ukrainians, the challenge remains whether talks abroad can translate into real safety at home.
