‘Don’t see Putin very willing to get peace’, says French President Emmanuel Macron

‘If Trump can end war’

In an interview with NBC News, Macron, who was one of the European leaders who accompanied Zelenskyy for his White House meeting, said: “When I look at the situation and the facts, I don’t see President Putin very willing to get peace now,” adding that: “But perhaps I’m too pessimistic.”

Macron said if Trump can help end the war, it would be great news. “The optimism of your president is to be taken seriously. So if he considers he can get a deal done, this is great news, and we have to do whatever we can to have a great deal,” he said.

Three-way meeting with Putin

During his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy expressed his willingness for a three-way meeting that would also include Putin.

Following this, Trump said he is working towards setting up a second summit involving both Putin and Zelenskyy.

“We’re going to try and get a three-party meeting maybe as soon as we can and I have a feeling you and President Putin are going to work something out,” Trump said.

US should pressure Russia

According to Macron, the US must apply pressure to Russia and Putin to find a resolution, including introducing more sanctions if the trilateral meeting falls through, or if the Russians don’t comply with this approach. “We have to increase the sanctions, secondary and primary sanctions,” Macron said.

On Monday, Zelenskyy had said that if he starts to set conditions for the meeting, regarding a potential ceasefire or other matters, then Russia will want to set conditions, too, potentially jeopardising those talks.

“That’s why I believe that we must meet without any conditions,” he said.

On the issue of any possible land swap as part of the peace deal, Macron said it is for Ukraine to decide.

“I don’t see any swap in the proposal of the Russians, except a swap in comparison with what they wanted at the beginning,” he said.

“Now, when we speak about territory, it’s for the Ukrainian president and for the Ukrainian people to discuss about it,” he said.

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