Macron: “Putin wants Kiev’s capitulation, not peace”
At the end of the meeting, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, said: “I think President Putin wants peace? The answer is no. He wants the capitulation of Ukraine, is what he proposed.” Macron explained that he considers fundamental, now more than ever, to guarantee respect for international rules for the safety of European countries. He added that European states must be present at the next leaders on Ukraine, highlighting the key role of Europe in future negotiations.
The Ukrainian point of view: concrete security guarantees for Kiev
The Italian position and the role of Europe in negotiations
Giorgia Meloni, president of the Italian Council, participated in the videoconference. Italy supports the need to “maintain pressure on Russia” and to provide “solid and credible guarantees of safety” in Kiev. During the meeting, it was reiterated that every decision will have to involve Ukraine and that the unity between European partners remains central to the common strategy. No operational details have emerged on future moves, but the participants agreed that the boundaries should not be changed by force. According to what was communicated by Palazzo Chigi, it is considered fundamental to work together with the United States by direction and end of the conflict.
Towards the summit in Washington: waiting and next steps
The meeting in Washington is scheduled for tonight. Zelensky will begin with a reserved interview with Donald Trump, followed by an enlarged session with European leaders. Participants will discuss concrete solutions for the ceasefire and a possible peace agreement. Marco Rubio, an American senator, said that “there will be no peace agreement unless both sides make concessions”. According to Zelensky’s words, “it is necessary to cease fire and work rapidly to a definitive agreement”, but expressed doubts about Vladimir Putin’s availability to stop hostilities.
The representatives of the coalition of the willing expressed “units in supporting Ukraine towards a just and lasting peace”. In the talks, key themes such as the end of violence and the active involvement of Ukraine in negotiated solutions, which should take place according to the Trilateral format – Ukrainian, United States and Russia – with the participation of the European Union, were addressed. Zelensky added: “We also discussed how to stop the killings as soon as possible – we work on the common vision of a peace agreement that is really right, quick and effective”.
However, Donald Trump seems to have a little different ideas from those of the European Championships. First: it is taken for granted, who say Zelensky, that Kiev will have to make territorial concessions in Moscow. “President Ukrainian Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wishes, or he can continue to fight,” he wrote on Truth. “Remember how everything started. The Crimea given by Obama (12 years ago, without being shot a blow!), And you cannot go back to the NATO by Ukraine. Some things never change!”.
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