Zelenskyy talks with Macron: They discuss security guarantees and ending war
Zelenskyy and Macron (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed security guarantees and the end of the war, according to a Telegram post from the President.
"A productive conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. I informed him about today’s meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and my recent phone call with President Trump," Zelenskyy stated in the message.
He emphasized that Ukraine, the US, and Europe need to develop a common, effective strategy to bring about a just peace and sit together at the negotiation table. He also clarified the additional topics discussed with Macron.
"We discussed many important issues, including security guarantees and France's specific proposals. It is crucial that we share the same vision of what a just end to the war should look like. Thank you for all efforts aimed at our shared security in the future and for the commitment to the principle 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,'" the president highlighted.
In turn, Macron also provided an update on his conversation with Zelenskyy. He noted that if Trump can indeed convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the aggression against Ukraine, it would be great news.
"Only then can Ukrainians negotiate for a strong and lasting peace. We will help them in this endeavor," he wrote on social media platform X.
At the same time, the French president reiterated his call, made in an interview with the Financial Times, for increased defense spending and emphasized that Europe needs to change its security approach.
"And we, Europeans, will need to strengthen our collective security and become more autonomous. France will fully play its role in accelerating this process. A stronger and more sovereign Europe, let's make it happen now. This is the call I made in the FT," Macron concluded.
Macron on ending the war in Ukraine
Recently, the French president expressed the view that Trump had created a window of opportunity to end Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine through negotiations.
Macron added that only Zelenskyy can negotiate with Russia on behalf of Ukraine. The Ukrainian president now needs to discuss territorial issues and matters of sovereignty.
