Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

France's President Macron again tries to mediate in Russian-Ukrainian talks

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said peace talks with Russia were difficult and confrontational, yet moving forward. In another attempt to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with both Presidents Vladimir Putin and Zelensky.

The change in the Kremlin's position can also be seen in the statement of President Vladimir Putin's spokesman. According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow's goal is no longer the denazification of Ukraine, but having Kyiv accept that Crimea is Russian and that two independent states have emerged in Donbas. Russia would only resort to the use of nuclear weapons in the context of the conflict in Ukraine if it were faced with an "existential threat," Peskov told CNN International.
The Kremlin's refusal to rule out the use of nuclear weapons was condemned by the Pentagon. ""It's not the way a responsible nuclear power should act," said Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby.
During the night, Russian forces tried to advance on Kyiv and Kharkiv. They were pushed back at the Makarov suburb of Kyiv where the highway from Kyiv to Zhytomyr and Lviv passes. Fighting is also taking place near Boryspil Airport and in besieged Mariupol.
Russia has also launched missile strikes at Pavlohrad railway station near the Dnieper and in Rivne, in the northwest.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

At the official opening of the 10th International Agricultural Exhibition AGRA in Plovdiv

4% of Bulgaria's GDP is created by the agricultural sector

The agriculture sector in Bulgaria maintains its stability, providing employment to 6% of the population and forming about 4% of the country's GDP. This is shown by current data on the state of the sector, presented by the Minister of Agriculture..

published on 2/18/25 3:14 PM
Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov

Council of Ministers has not discussed Bulgarian participation in peacekeeping forces in Ukraine

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers has not discussed the hypothesis of Bulgaria's possible participation in peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. This was stated to the media by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Atanas..

published on 2/18/25 2:29 PM

President Radev opposes sending troops to Ukraine in any form

As Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, I firmly oppose sending troops to Ukraine in any form, said President Rumen Radev during a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establisment of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in..

published on 2/18/25 1:04 PM