President Emmanuel Macron stated Wednesday (February 19, 2025) that France and its allies agreed Ukraine’s rights and European safety considerations must be taken into consideration in any deal to finish the battle with Russia, earlier than he heads to Washington subsequent week.
“The position of France and its allies is clear and united. We wish for peace in Ukraine that is lasting,” Mr. Macron stated on X after a gathering with the leaders of 19 principally European nations, with most participating by video hyperlink.
U.S. President Donald Trump has shocked the European Union by saying he is able to resume diplomacy with Vladimir Putin after three years of Russia’s battle towards Ukraine, over the heads of each European nations and Kyiv.
Mr. Macron held the assembly on Ukraine Wednesday afternoon in a bid to coordinate a European response to what he has known as an “existential threat” from Russia after the shock U.S. coverage shift.
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“We stand by Ukraine and will carry out all our responsibilities to ensure peace and security in Europe,” Mr. Macron stated after the video convention.
But he stated individuals, which included the leaders of EU nations in addition to Iceland, Norway and Canada, confused Ukraine must be included and “its rights respected” within the course of.
They stated “robust and credible guarantees” have been wanted to make sure a long-lasting deal, and “European security concerns” should be taken into consideration.
“We are convinced of the need to increase our defence and security spending and capacities for Europe and each of our countries,” Mr. Macron added.
Trip to U.S. ‘early subsequent week’
Mr. Macron is ready to satisfy Mr. Trump in Washington as early as Monday, Mr. Trump advised reporters aboard his aircraft on Wednesday.
A White House official beforehand advised AFP the assembly would happen “early next week”, on situation of anonymity.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he’ll meet U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg on Thursday and that he hopes for “constructive” work with the United States, after Mr. Trump lashed out towards him on social media.
Mr. Trump on Wednesday known as Mr. Zelenskyy a “dictator”, after a day earlier accusing Kyiv of having “started” the battle, sparking pushback from even some members of his personal Republican social gathering.
France has been one of Ukraine’s predominant Western backers since Russia started its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
Mr. Macron on Monday hosted key European leaders together with from Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands, in addition to NATO and EU chiefs for emergency talks, however a number of smaller European nations together with Romania and the Czech Republic have been reportedly aghast at not having been invited.
Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan and Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden have been current in particular person on the assembly on Wednesday afternoon, the French presidency stated.
The leaders of Lithuania, Cyprus, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and the Czech Republic in the meantime joined by way of video convention name.
Hungary and Slovakia, whose prime ministers are seen as near Putin, in addition to NATO member Turkey, whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is keen to behave as a mediator, weren’t on the record of individuals.
‘Existential menace’
“Russia poses an existential threat to Europeans,” Mr. Macron stated in an interview with French regional newspapers printed on Tuesday.
“Do not think that the unthinkable cannot happen, including the worst.”
Mr. Macron appeared open to the thought of sending forces to Ukraine however emphasised that this might happen solely in probably the most restricted trend and away from the entrance strains.
France, together with Britain, was contemplating sending “experts or even troops in limited terms, outside any conflict zone,” he stated.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated France could must make some tough selections.
“Russia has decided to make enemies of us, and we must open our eyes, realise the scale of the threat and protect ourselves,” he advised broadcaster RTL.
“If we do nothing, if we remain blind to the threat, the front line will move ever closer to our borders.”
He stated earlier that solely the Europeans may present the ensures mandatory to make sure long-lasting “peace” in Ukraine.
To sustain the strain on Moscow, EU nations on Wednesday agreed a brand new spherical of sanctions on Russia, diplomats stated.
Published – February 20, 2025 12:40 pm IST
