A French diplomatic source reported today, Monday, that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to summon the Russian ambassador to France, Alexei Meshkov, following the killing of two French humanitarian workers in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine due to Russian shelling last Friday.

The source added that Paris will renew its condemnation, during this summons, of these Russian strikes and will also denounce the return of misleading information targeting France, just days after the French Armed Forces Ministry revealed a "coordinated maneuver by Russia" to spread false information regarding the country.

The French anti-terrorism public prosecutor has opened an investigation in this regard, while French President Emmanuel Macron condemned this act, describing it as "cowardly and disgraceful."

Paris announced, via its Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, the killing of two of its citizens and the injury of three others following Russian shelling in Ukraine. The minister said on the "X" platform: "Two French humanitarian workers paid with their lives for their efforts towards the Ukrainians." He added: "Russia will have to bear responsibility for its crimes."

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the two victims were killed in shelling on the small town of Beryslav, located on the northern bank of the Dnipro River near the frontline.

On another note, the Russian presidency (the Kremlin) announced that it is closely monitoring the ongoing debate about forming a European military alliance without the participation of the United States.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists today, "Moscow is closely watching this ongoing debate about establishing a European military alliance without the participation of the United States."

Peskov added: "It is not a new idea, but so far Europe has maintained its NATO-Atlantic orientations."

The Russian presidential spokesperson continued, in response to a question about the prospects of establishing such a military alliance: "Independent measurement of security policy and an independent identity regarding ensuring self-security have been topics of discussion within the European Union for more than a decade, and so far, Europeans have not succeeded and have maintained their approach guided by NATO."

In a different context... Peskov announced the illegality of decisions that Europe might take to use Russian assets in favor of Ukraine.

Peskov said: "If decisions are made regarding the use of Russian assets as support for repaying aid debts to Ukraine, they will largely be illegal and will have long-term legal consequences for those who make and implement such decisions," clarifying that his country will challenge these decisions and protect its interests and assets that were seized illegally.

Peskov affirmed that violating others' property undermines the foundations of the entire economic system.