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On Friday, Russian officials stated that President Putin is still open to discussions. However, no formal preparations for a meeting with Zelenskyy are currently underway.
Macron made these comments during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Toulon (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron has once again warned European leaders on Friday against placing their trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid growing uncertainty over peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking with visible disappointment over the current state of the conflict, Macron also emphasised the need for firm security guarantees, calling them the only viable path toward a just and lasting peace in the region, stated AFP.
Macron, who recently participated in a diplomatic visit to the White House alongside a European delegation on August 18, revealed that there had been strong belief among Western leaders that Putin would agree to a bilateral or even trilateral meeting to discuss ending the ongoing war. The proposed talks were expected to involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and potentially US President Donald Trump.
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According to Macron, Putin had personally assured Trump that such a meeting would be held within two weeks. However, as the timeline nears its expiration, no official confirmation has been provided by the Kremlin. “If that doesn’t happen by Monday, the deadline set by President Trump, it means that once again President Putin played President Trump,” Macron said.
Macron made these comments during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Toulon, a southern French city hosting ministerial talks this week. The French President also indicated that both he and Merz may consult with Trump over the weekend to assess the situation and discuss potential next steps.
White House Reacts On Macron’s Comments
Macron’s remarks sparked a flurry of reactions, including from the White House. During a press briefing, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, was asked whether Macron’s claims were accurate. In response, Miller sidestepped the specifics of the question but expressed strong support for President Trump’s foreign policy record.
“Such an absurd question. President Trump has achieved seven peace deals in seven months. No president in history has done more to advance the cause of peace. He’s been nominated by multiple world leaders for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Miller said.
What Happens If There Is No Russia-Ukraine Meeting By Monday
Zelenskyy, recalling his White House meeting with Trump and other European leaders, also referenced the looming deadline. He acknowledged that Putin had allegedly committed to holding talks within two weeks. “Two weeks will be on Monday. And we will remind everybody,” the Ukrainian president stated, reinforcing expectations for progress.
While there is public pressure mounting as the deadline approaches, the Russian side has remained ambiguous. On Friday, Russian officials stated that President Putin is still open to discussions. However, they also noted that no formal or high-level preparations for a meeting with Zelenskyy are currently underway.
Despite Trump’s confirmation on Truth Social soon after the White House meeting that preparations for the peace talks were in motion, the lack of concrete steps has raised questions about Putin’s true intentions. Meanwhile, President Trump has previously issued vague warnings about unspecified consequences if the meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy does not occur.
Adding to the uncertainty, Putin is scheduled to travel to China this weekend to attend a military parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is also expected to be in attendance, marking a significant gathering of the leaders in Beijing.
Meanwhile, the US, Ukraine, and European leaders could meet in New York next week and discuss Russia’s lack of constructive engagement in the process.
- Location :
France
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