French president hosts ‘coalition of the willing’ in Paris amid hopes that Ukraine’s recent advances could force Putin towards negotiations
2m agoEU sanctions nine people, four entities over Russian cyber espionage, sabotage
25m agoMorning opening: Focus on Ukraine
French president Emmanuel Macron is going to host the Coalition of the Willing in Paris later today amid hopes that Ukraine’s recent advances in strikes on Russia could force Vladimir Putin to a negotiating table.
The meeting at the Hôtel des Invalides – hosted just before Bastille Day – will bring together over 20 European leaders for further talks on how to help Kyiv and put more pressure on Moscow.
Earlier, Macron will meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
There will be a press conference with Macron, Zelenskyy, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Britain’s outgoing PM, Keir Starmer, in the late afternoon.
Building up to the meeting, France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said France will summon the Russian ambassador to Paris in the coming days over an alleged cyberhacking campaign conducted by Russia against European countries including France, Reuters reported.
“We are going to publicly condemn a widespread cyber campaign carried out by Russia against at least 10 European countries,” Barrot told BFM TV.
“We will also impose sanctions on nine individuals and four entities responsible for this cyber campaign, which was orchestrated by the FSB” security service, he added.
Separately, some 300 kilometers up north from Paris, EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the bloc’s next, 21st, package of sanctions against Russia.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters that “there are still some open questions” and the package has not been signed off by the ministers, but hoped an agreement could be struck later today.
Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys said EU countries had yet to reach a decision on a proposed maritime services ban and tightening restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas.
“So I’m looking to see whether we are serious enough. We cannot put economic interests above security interests … that is a very dangerous trend,” he told reporters.
Lots for us to cover.
I will bring you all the latest here.
It’s Monday, 13 July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
And just like that, the EU has just issued new sanctions over “Russia’s malicious cyber ecosystem targeting the EU, its member states and international partners.”
“These activities have included infiltration of governmental networks and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Among others, France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland have been targeted. In France, the 16th Centre has conducted cyber espionage against strategic governmental entities since 2010 and defence industry in 2025. In Germany, it has targeted governmental entities. Recently in Poland, the 16th Centre has carried out disruptive sabotage operations against critical infrastructure, including combined heating and power plants.”
“These activities have included infiltration of governmental networks and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Among others, France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland have been targeted.
In France, the 16th Centre has conducted cyber espionage against strategic governmental entities since 2010 and defence industry in 2025.
In Germany, it has targeted governmental entities.
Recently in Poland, the 16th Centre has carried out disruptive sabotage operations against critical infrastructure, including combined heating and power plants.”
Nine people and four entities got sanctioned, the EU said, including GRU intelligence officers, cybercriminals and “private companies that contribute to Russia’s efforts to destabilise the EU.”
“We strongly condemn Russia’s behaviour and misuse of this cyber ecosystem, targeting public services and critical infrastructure, causing disruptions and financial losses.”
Europe live with Jakub Krupa
