French President Emmanuel Macron warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to agree to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by Monday, it would signal that US President Donald Trump has been deceived in negotiations over Ukraine.
Macron Addresses Putin-Zelensky Meeting
During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Macron addressed the planned meeting between Putin and Zelensky, stating that if Putin does not commit to the meeting by September 1st, it would indicate that Trump has been outmaneuvered. “If this does not happen by Monday, the date set by President Trump, it means that President Putin will once again play Trump off his face,” Macron said.
Zelensky Addresses Trump’s Threats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also referenced Trump’s threats, saying, “Two weeks pass on Monday. I will remind everyone of this.”
Macron’s Counter to Inviting Russia to Negotiations
On August 18, Trump discussed the possibility of including Russia in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine with European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Following the meeting, Macron expressed skepticism about involving Russia in the negotiations, stating in a French media interview that “Putin rarely keeps his promises.” He proceeded to call Putin a “tiger at our gates,” representing a serious threat to all of Europe.
Source: Gazeta,
