French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Europeans to be fully involved in negotiations over a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that "there is currently no finalised plan on the territorial issues" and that it cannot be finalized without the participation of European leaders. The French leader emphasized the need for a united front among Western nations to provide guarantees to Ukraine in case of a ceasefire or peace deal.
Macron's remarks come after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where they discussed ongoing talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire. Macron praised US peace efforts but also acknowledged that key aspects of the proposed plan have been criticized by European allies, who pushed back on certain tenets of the framework.
The French president's comments also highlighted the importance of Russia's role in the conflict, stating that "at a time when we are talking about peace, Russia continues to kill and destroy." He added that sanctions pressure on Russia's energy sector would increase in the coming weeks, which he believed could be a game-changer.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed earlier this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting comes as tensions between the United States and Russia over Ukraine have remained high.
Macron's comments underscore the challenges of brokering a peace agreement in Ukraine, where European nations must work together to provide guarantees to the Ukrainian government while also navigating competing interests with Russia. As the diplomatic effort continues, it remains to be seen whether Macron's call for greater European involvement can lead to a breakthrough in the conflict.
Macron's remarks come after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where they discussed ongoing talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire. Macron praised US peace efforts but also acknowledged that key aspects of the proposed plan have been criticized by European allies, who pushed back on certain tenets of the framework.
The French president's comments also highlighted the importance of Russia's role in the conflict, stating that "at a time when we are talking about peace, Russia continues to kill and destroy." He added that sanctions pressure on Russia's energy sector would increase in the coming weeks, which he believed could be a game-changer.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed earlier this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting comes as tensions between the United States and Russia over Ukraine have remained high.
Macron's comments underscore the challenges of brokering a peace agreement in Ukraine, where European nations must work together to provide guarantees to the Ukrainian government while also navigating competing interests with Russia. As the diplomatic effort continues, it remains to be seen whether Macron's call for greater European involvement can lead to a breakthrough in the conflict.