Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to attend proposed peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising concerns about the ongoing conflict since the war began in February 2022. Meanwhile, the EU has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strict vehicle safety standards despite pressure from the US during trade negotiations, prioritizing road safety amidst differing standards between the EU and the US. As sanctions against Russia are being coordinated, Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s absence as indicative of his unwillingness to end the war.
