European countries should “absolutely” be introducing conscription to combat the threat of Russian aggression, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said Sunday, as Europe grows increasingly concerned about the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.

Latvia recently brought back conscription for men aged between 18 and 27, with the aim to have 61,000 combat ready troops split between active and reserve units. The Baltic country has a 175-mile border with Russia to its east and foreign minister Krisjanis Karins said last year said they wanted to achieve a ‘state of preparedness’ that would dissuade the Kremlin from invading.

But what are these major players thinking ahead of fresh US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia next week? Five BBC correspondents have analysed the week's events. Tom Bateman, State Department correspondent,

The European Union foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said that Russian President, Vladimir Putin has no interest in peace. According to her, Russian “relentless” drone and missile attacks meant that Putin had no peace in mind even as talks to possibly end the war are underway.

Europe doesn't know how to end Russia's war against Ukraine, stated US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters. The American leader stated that he believed Europe didn't know how to end the war.

Three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted by a London jury of spying for Russia. The verdicts Friday followed a trial that began in November.