The Old Continent is changing pace: without prejudice to military support for Kiev, Europe is preparing to lead a possible negotiating table involving Russia and Ukraine. The new geopolitical strategy will develop along a dense network of five international events:
The London summit (with Starmer, Merz, Macron and Zelensky)
The G7
The European Council
The NATO summit in Ankara
The extended meeting on 14 July in Paris
Drones over St. Petersburg: Kiev flexes its muscles
Diplomatic dynamism fits into a very high-tension military context. Ukraine launched as many as 86 drones against St. Petersburg, hitting the Navy arsenals and the Kronstadt base about 1,000 kilometers from the border. For the first time in the Russian metropolis, the order not to leave the house has been issued. An offensive forcefully claimed by Zelensky on
Trump’s disengagement and the new European role
What gives a decisive boost to the activism of Macron, Merz and Starmer is Washington’s attitude. Donald Trump’s statements (“Let them deal with each other”) and the cold relations between London and the White House (exacerbated by the Nowak case) have convinced Brussels of the need to move independently. In this scenario, while the Franco-German-British axis accelerates, Giorgia Meloni’s Italy – stuck on the line of not sending troops – appears for the moment to be a step behind.
More funds and pressure on Moscow towards the Paris parade
Diplomacy does not stop war and economic support. At the NATO summit in Ankara, a new 70 billion euro military aid package for Ukraine could be announced, which will be added to the 90 billion loan already allocated by the EU (now faster and more efficient after Viktor Orbán’s exit). The roadmap of the Willing will culminate on 14 July in Paris: Macron has promised spectacular celebrations for the National Day, with a strong military component and a place of honor reserved for Kiev.