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France and Germany have summoned the Russian ambassadors in Paris and Berlin to protest suspected cyber and hybrid attacks that the European Union attributes to Russia against several member states and Ukraine.
The German Foreign Ministry said the attacks were unacceptable and would be met with firm measures. Germany joined France, which had earlier taken the same diplomatic step against the Russian ambassador.
The developments come at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris for talks on the war in Ukraine and further support for Kiev.
According to the Élysée Palace, the meeting takes place at a moment of "renewed transatlantic rapprochement and unity," as well as at a time when the situation on the ground appears more favorable for Ukraine.
The coalition leaders, led by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are expected to focus on cooperation with Ukraine in the field of air and missile defense. Discussions also include the possibility of licensed weapons production on Ukrainian territory.
The Kremlin said it would follow the discussions in Paris closely but sharply criticized the coalition. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as a group of countries that Moscow says want to continue the war in Ukraine.
Peskov went further, describing the “Coalition of the Willing” as a “coalition of warmongers.”
"These are countries that are taking hostile actions against Russia, so we will follow developments very carefully," he declared.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to Russian attacks carried out overnight in Ukraine. He said Russian forces had hit civilian targets, including passenger buses in Odessa, residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia and a hospital in the Kharkiv region.
Zelensky stated that the daily attacks show, in his opinion, that support for Ukraine remains necessary in military, political and humanitarian terms.
He called for more air defense systems, more measures to protect civilians, and increased international pressure on Russia.
"The pressure on Russia must work. New sanctions against the aggressor, new support packages for Ukraine and new projects must yield results," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president also mentioned the European anti-ballistic missile initiative, called FREYJA, and said that upcoming meetings should help strengthen Ukraine's defense.
In parallel with the diplomatic developments in Paris, Ukraine announced new drone attacks against Russian targets.
The head of Ukraine's drone forces, Robert Brovdi, said his units had struck ten tankers, four ferries and a large oil refinery in the city of Syzran overnight. He also said several electrical substations in occupied Crimea had been hit.
According to him, Ukrainian attacks have restricted the movement of Russian ships in the Sea of Azov and hit the so-called "shadow" fleet, which Moscow uses to transport oil products that are under international sanctions.
Brovdi claimed that this fleet is shrinking and that its ships can no longer freely use the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.
The parties' claims about attacks and damages could not be independently verified from the reported material.
On the same day, Macron also delivered the traditional speech to the French Armed Forces, on the eve of the Bastille Day parade.
The French president spoke about France's efforts to strengthen military capabilities, including joint procurement and partnerships with European Union allies.
"We must prepare for the wars that may come. But our ability to face them will depend on our credibility today. It is the wars of today that we must win ," Macron said.
He referred to support for Ukraine and assistance to France's partners in the Middle East.
In a part of the speech dedicated to French soldiers who have lost their lives in service to the country, Macron said that peace, freedom and justice remain the values that France is ready to defend.
"Peace is our goal. We value freedom and justice and are ready to fight to defend them always, even at the cost of our blood, if necessary," he declared.
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, Macron also warned against the rise of nationalism, distinguishing it from patriotism.
Zelensky and other leaders are also expected to remain in Paris for the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées. The French presidency said the ceremony would underscore France's continued support for Ukraine.
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