Only Zelenskyy has right to negotiate Ukraine's territory – Macron

"The only possible peace is a strong and lasting peace that provides security guarantees for the side that is defending itself. This is exactly what we, Europeans, have finalized within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing. This coalition will meet on Friday, and we will co-chair it together with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with the participation, of course, of President Zelenskyy," Macron said.

According to him, as long as the war continues, support for Ukraine – military, defense, and financial – will also continue. Macron noted that it is Russia that consistently ignores the peaceful path to ending the war.

"If the question of territorial negotiations arises, these negotiations can only be conducted by President Zelenskyy on behalf of his country. No one else has the right to do so. Therefore, Ukraine must decide for itself and for its territory, and Europeans – for themselves and their security," he emphasized, adding that matters should progress within these very frameworks.

Background

Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, October 17. Following the talks, Trump called for maintaining the existing front line.

In an interview with Fox News, he expressed confidence in the possibility of ending the war, while noting that Putin might take something in exchange for the already occupied territories.

At the same time, media reports suggested that Putin had proposed a new deal to Trump: Ukraine would give up part of the controlled Donbas in exchange for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement by Zelenskyy and European leaders, it was stated that European security guarantees within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing are ready, while negotiations on territorial concessions can be conducted only by the President of Ukraine.