Zelensky in Paris for Macron Talks as Putin Blames UK over Factory Strike

Two people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit Kharkiv, as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris for talks with Emmanuel Macron. He is set to discuss battlefield developments and military support from France and other European partners, alongside efforts to increase pressure on Russia over its invasion. The meeting comes as Moscow publicly accused Britain of involvement in a Ukrainian strike on a factory in western Russia’s Bryansk that killed seven people, a claim Kyiv rejects, saying the facility produced components for Russian missiles rather than civilian infrastructure. Earlier, Kyiv said its troops controlled almost all of the Dnipropetrovsk region after liberating about 400 square kilometres in counterattacks, undermining Russia’s attempt to seize a broader strip of territory to serve as a “buffer zone.” Leaders in Paris are coordinating on arms, air defenses, and sanctions to sustain international pressure on Moscow amid continuing fighting. The visit highlights how European allies are balancing diplomatic engagement with logistical support as the war drags on. Zelensky’s presence in the French capital underscores the urgent push for tangible assurances from European partners and a unified stance against Russia’s aggression. As the discussions unfold, the human cost remains high in frontline areas, and the international community watches closely for how these talks might translate into momentum on the ground.

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