French President Emmanuel Macron says only Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy could negotiate on behalf of his country with Russia to end the war.
Macron stated this on Thursday, warning that what he described as a peace that is a capitulation would be bad news for everyone, including the US.
"The only question at this stage is whether President Putin is genuinely, sustainably, and credibly willing to agree to a ceasefire on this basis. After that, it's up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia," Macron said.
Recall that President Donald Trump of the United States on Wednesday separately discussed the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy, asking US officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long conflict.
The phone conversation came shortly after US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth told Ukraine's military allies in Brussels that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders before Russia annexed Crimea was unrealistic, stressing that the US does not see NATO membership for Kyiv as part of a solution.
Ukrainians on Thursday expressed worries that Trump was preparing to sell out their country following his phone call Putin.
However, Trump, while speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, said Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia over ending the war.
Reacting, Macron said Trump had created a window of opportunity for a negotiated solution, where everyone has to play their role, adding that it is now up to Zelenskiy to discuss territorial and sovereignty issues.
"I is up to the international community, with a specific role for the Europeans, to discuss security guarantees and, more broadly, the security framework for the entire region. That is where we have a role to play," he said.
Macron described Trump's return as an electroshock that should force Europe to secure its own future, as well as that of Ukraine.
Comments