Ukraine updates: France hosts summit on security guarantees

European NATO members are meeting in France after French President Emmanuel Macron called for a summit on security guarantees for Ukraine in the case of a ceasefire deal with Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv late on Wednesday injured at least 15 people and caused significant damage.

This comes as a South Korean military report said that North Korea has sent 3,000 more troops to Russia as reinforcement this year.

Here are the latest developments concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Thursday, March 27. Follow DW for the latest updates.

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

Ukraine's Zelenskyy concerned US is parroting Russian propaganda

Zelenskyy repeated his calls for NATO membership ahead of Thursday's summit on security guarantees for UkraineImage: Yoan Valat/AP Photo/picture alliance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to European journalists on Wednesday after meeting with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. 

He expressed his gratitude to the US for its support against the Russian invasion, but also remarked that some US officials were repeating Russian propaganda.

Zelenskyy gave the example of special advisor Steve Witkoff who recently said some Ukrainians living in Russian-occupied territories want to live under Russian rule.

"I believe that Witkoff indeed very frequently quotes Kremlin narratives," the Ukrainian leader said, adding that Witkoff's statements "do not bring us closer to peace" and "will weaken American pressure on Russia."

He also cast doubt on Russia's commitment to the ceasefire proposals put forward by the US and said that Ukraine's future security would be best guaranteed by NATO membership.

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

What to expect from the Paris summit on Ukraine?

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) met on Wednesday ahead of the summitImage: Yoan Valat/AP Photo/picture alliance

Thursday's summit comes amid attempts by the Trump administration to find a workable ceasefire deal with Russia.

Moscow and Kyiv have both confirmed their agreement to the outlines of a possible ceasefire deal in the Black Sea.

While these moves have been welcomed to some extent, European leaders have also been alarmed by decisions made in Washington that have undermined Ukraine's security, such as the temporary suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

As a result, Europe is looking to provide its own security guarantees independently of its NATO ally. 

Macron met with Zelenskyy on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's summit. He said this was now a "decisive phase to put an end to the war of aggression" started by Russia.

Some 26 European leaders — including Germany's caretaker Chancellor Olaf Scholz — are set to meet with Zelenskyy in Paris. The summit is set to kick off at 0800 GMT with a press conference planned for the afternoon.

One of the points on the agenda will likely be the option of sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, once a ceasefire deal is sealed, to act as a deterrent against future Russian attacks.

The Ukrainian president on Wednesday said he was hoping for "strong decisions" at Thursday's summit.

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

North Korea sent 3,000 additional troops to Russia: Seoul

North Korea has sent 3,000 more troops to Russia as reinforcement this year, South Korea's military said on Thursday. 

According to Seoul, Pyongyang also continues aiding Moscow's Ukraine war efforts with artillery and ammunition.

The two countries have strengthened military ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a rare visit to North Korea last year Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

While neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially confirmed the troop deployment, according to South Korea about 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to aid Russian war efforts with 4,000 of them killed or wounded.

"In addition to manpower, North Korea continues to supply missiles, artillery equipment, and ammunition," the South Korean report said.

Experts warn that the nuclear-armed North may be testing weapons for export to Russia for use against Ukraine.

They also point out that North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine are gaining modern combat experience, particularly in drone warfare.

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv injure many

Multiple buildings in Kharkiv were damaged in the strikes Image: Ukraine's State Emergency Service/AFP

Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv late on Wednesday injured at least 15 people and caused significant damage, Ukrainian officials said.

Oleh Syniehubov, the region's military governor, posted on Telegram that eight people were injured in the city of Kharkiv and seven more in the village of Zolochiv.

The emergency services also reported fires in the city center, while confirming that multiple buildings were hit, including civil infrastructure. 

Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported at least 12 drone strikes on the city.

Syniehubov said the injured included two minors.

Drone strikes also caused fires in Dnipro, however no casualties were reported. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video showing an explosion next to a football field where children are playing condemning Russia's shelling of civilian areas using of Iranian-made Shahed drones

Zelenskyy said that a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table for weeks but warned that "without pressure on Russia, there will be no result."

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

EU's dependence on Russian gas rises further

The European Union's reliance on Russian gas increased by 18% in 2024 despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a report by think tank Ember.

The imports included both pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the EU sanctioned Russian energy sources, including coal and oil.

While the bloc aims to phase out Russian gas by 2027, the plan remains non-binding.

The imports came at a time when gas prices surged by nearly 60% in 2024 in the EU.

Italy, France, and the Czech Republic were among the nations that boosted Russian gas imports last year, the Ember report said. 

"It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas," Ember analyst Pawel Czyzak said.

Ember said gas imports are expected to rise further in 2025.

Meanwhile, Norway and the United States remain the EU's largest gas suppliers, but geopolitical tensions with the US is forcing the European Commission to work on energy ties with Washington.

03/27/2025March 27, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest reporting on Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

France is hosting a summit with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

French President Emmanuel Macron, along with 26 other heads of state, are set to discuss possible security guarantees for Ukraine that Europe can offer ahead of a possible ceasefire deal with Russia.

France is one of the NATO countries that has floated the option of a "coalition of the willing" to send their own troops to Ukraine to ward off any future Russian attacks.

Macron on Wednesday said it was "too early" to consider lifting sanctions against Russia.