Will Trump betray Zelensky? Macron issues urgent statement

“I reject all of that. We need the United States for peace. And the United States needs us to make that peace strong and lasting,” Macron said.

He explained that unity between Europe and the U.S. is crucial for supporting Ukraine and that there is “no mistrust” between them.

“I repeat this again and again: we must work together,” Macron concluded.

The day before, Der Spiegel published an article about a confidential conversation between EU leaders on Ukraine. According to the publication, Macron allegedly warned Zelensky that the U.S. could betray Kyiv. The Élysée Palace commented that the French leader “did not use those words.”

Epa/LEGNAN KOULA

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz allegedly also stated that Zelensky should be “extremely cautious in the coming days” with U.S. negotiators. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg similarly warned Kyiv against participating in the talks, according to Der Spiegel.

In response to this report, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Washington send its submarines to the French coast. Meanwhile, Russian President’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, commenting on Merz’s remarks about the U.S. “playing” with the EU, said the German politician is “out of the game” because he discredited himself by “sabotaging peace.”

In mid-November, the U.S. presented its 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. Macron immediately stated that the initiative must be coordinated with the EU. After several rounds of negotiations, the document was revised and shortened.