Macron’s Putin summit and the US’s $100 million deal with Taiwan missile upgrades will play important roles in de-escalating the Ukraine crisis.
The dinner summit between the French and the Russian Presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin, respectively, was not a dead-end after all. The 5-hour dinner with reindeer, sweet potatoes, and blackberries led to a few new negotiations to meet Russia’s earlier demands to leave Ukraine out of NATO. Putin did not agree to the new appeals but agreed to meet Macron once again for further negotiations.
Putin ended the summit warning that Europe would get caught in a war if Ukraine were to join NATO and take back Crimea—annexed by Russia 8 years ago. Macron added that decisions made in the upcoming days can begin or end war threats in Ukraine.
The U.S. Makes Taiwan its Ally
According to satellite images, Russia’s troop buildup reached 70% with China’s decision to back Russia. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation has struck a $100 million deal, making Taiwan an ally, countering China’s actions.
The deal will allow the sale of defense equipment and services to upgrade, sustain, and maintain Taiwan's Patriot Air Defence System. The deal was made back in 2019, during Trump’s era to prevent China’s aggression and was being negotiated until Monday. It will come into effect within a month following Congress’s approval.
