Kyiv: Russia will seek to escalate against European countries to deter support for Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron warned as European leaders gathered in the city. He stated, "Russia will try to escalate against European countries in order to deter them from assisting Ukraine," cautioning about potential provocations targeting NATO countries and emphasizing the need for a robust posture from European allies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron urged France and its partners to expedite the delivery of air defense interceptors and anti-ballistic missile capabilities to Ukraine, noting that shortages of these systems have immediate impacts on people's lives. He outlined France's commitment to accelerating deliveries and collaborating with partners to boost production capacity in Ukraine. Macron also highlighted the necessity of continued support for Ukraine's energy sector ahead of winter and the swift disbursement of financial aid to bolster the country's budget.

In addressing pressure against Russia, Macron emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts against the shadow fleet used to bypass sanctions. He called for enhanced coordination and proposed a ministerial meeting in the coming weeks to focus on measures against this shadow fleet. Additionally, he advocated for the preparation of new sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas imports, noting Russia's increased reliance on imports from third countries due to actions taken against its shadow fleet.

Regarding security guarantees, Macron announced that the Coalition of the Willing would conduct a comprehensive exercise in October and November to demonstrate its operational preparedness and ability to act once hostilities cease.