Russia refuses ceasefire to buy time, West will respond, says Macron
European leaders at the meeting in Albania (x.com/EmmanuelMacron)
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want a ceasefire with Ukraine. He is merely trying to buy time, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron recalled that, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
"President Putin once again failed to respond to the offer of an unconditional ceasefire proposed by the Americans and supported by Ukraine and European leaders. By refusing a ceasefire and dialogue with Ukraine, Russia is showing that it does not seek peace but is instead trying to buy time by continuing the war," the French leader emphasized.
Macron assured that he and other European leaders will coordinate their actions with the United States and the Coalition of the Willing to define a unified response.
Russia's refusal of a ceasefire
Russia is unwilling to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine for at least 30 days without additional conditions.
Today, Ukrainian and Russian officials held talks in Istanbul. According to Western media reports, during the meeting, the Russian side demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions as a condition for a ceasefire.
These reports have not been officially confirmed. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, only stated that Russia's demands are unacceptable.
