French President Macron proposes Geneva as neutral ground for Putin-Zelenskyy peace summit, emphasizing Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

A visible rift between the U.S. and Europe emerged as President Trump skipped the welcome for top EU leaders, leaving Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and NATO’s Mark Rutte without a presidential greeting.

Speaking after he and other European leaders joined the Ukrainian president for high-stakes meetings at the White House on Monday, Macron said the announced Zelensky-Putin summit would be held in Europe. "It will be (hosted by) a neutral country ...

With US, European and Ukrainian leaders appearing on Monday to lay the groundwork for talks between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the Swiss city would provide a neutral setting for peace efforts.

After a meeting at the White House on Monday, the French president said that if there is no progress in talks, Russia should be hit with more sanctions.

A few of the leaders were said to have interrupted summer holidays to fly to the United States on less than 24 hours’ notice to meet with the Ukrainian leader.

A major rift has erupted in Europe as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly clashed with French President Emmanuel Macron over the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. According to Corriere della Sera,

France will continue to work closely with Washington and Kyiv to 'safeguard our interests in a spirit of unity, responsibility,' says French president - Anadolu Ajansı