Eleanor Beardsley

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is projecting determination and a cautiously upbeat tone.

And U.S.

Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner said the process is moving forward even if no major concessions emerged.

The key sensitive topics still to discuss include territory, the use of frozen Russian assets, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukrainians and the Europeans fear the U.S.

will pressure Kiev to give away too much to Russia.

Speaking over the weekend, Ukraine's top commander said it would be unacceptable for Kiev to surrender territory it has fought for and held on to.

Separately, the Kremlin welcomed the Trump administration no longer calling Russia a direct threat in its revised national strategy.

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force showing up in your everyday life. Powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from NPR.

Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force showing up in your everyday life. Powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from NPR.

Thank you so much for coming. Yulia Navalny, the widow of Alexei Navalny, helped launch the new channel called Russia's Future, which will be beamed in by French satellite UTELSAT. Project director Jim Filipov says Navalny used YouTube because television was always controlled by the Kremlin.

Thank you so much for coming. Yulia Navalny, the widow of Alexei Navalny, helped launch the new channel called Russia's Future, which will be beamed in by French satellite UTELSAT. Project director Jim Filipov says Navalny used YouTube because television was always controlled by the Kremlin.

Now, he says, the Navalny team will reach a bigger audience on TV, and unlike with YouTube, the Kremlin will not be able to block the satellite. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

Now, he says, the Navalny team will reach a bigger audience on TV, and unlike with YouTube, the Kremlin will not be able to block the satellite. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said the freedom to smoke ends where children's rights to breathe clean air begins. Middle and high schools will also be affected by the ban, which will prevent students from smoking in front of their schools.

Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said the freedom to smoke ends where children's rights to breathe clean air begins. Middle and high schools will also be affected by the ban, which will prevent students from smoking in front of their schools.

While an American visiting France may be struck by the prevalence of smokers, especially young people puffing away on cafe terraces, smoking is actually at its lowest level since the 1990s. Tobacco sales fell more than 11 percent last year and only 16 percent of 17-year-olds reported smoking compared to 25 percent six years ago. Failure to comply with the ban could result in a fine of $140.

While an American visiting France may be struck by the prevalence of smokers, especially young people puffing away on cafe terraces, smoking is actually at its lowest level since the 1990s. Tobacco sales fell more than 11 percent last year and only 16 percent of 17-year-olds reported smoking compared to 25 percent six years ago. Failure to comply with the ban could result in a fine of $140.

E-cigarettes, which are on the rise, will not be included. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.