'Russia Must End Aggression With Guarantees For Ukrainians': French President Macron

French President Macron engaged in diplomatic talks with US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace in Ukraine.

File photo of French President Emmanuel Macron

Source : Getty

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to US President Donald Trump and then to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of European emergency meeting on Ukraine War.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Macron wrote, "After bringing together several European leaders, I have just spoken with President @realDonaldTrump and then with President @ZelenskyyUa. We seek a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine. To achieve this, Russia must end its aggression, and this must be accompanied by strong and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians. Otherwise, there is a risk that this ceasefire will end up like the Minsk agreements."

He added, "We will work on this together with all Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians. This is the key. We are convinced that Europeans must invest better, more, and together in their security and defense—both for today and for the future."

"To this end, Europeans want to accelerate the implementation of their own agenda for sovereignty, security, and competitiveness. Work will continue based on the European Commission’s proposals, both in supporting Ukraine and in developing and investing in our defense. This agenda, defined in 2022 at the Versailles Summit, must simply be carried out. Decisions, actions, coherence. Quickly. I will continue these discussions in the coming days", he continued.

After bringing together several European leaders, I have just spoken with President @realDonaldTrump and then with President @ZelenskyyUa.

We seek a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine. To achieve this, Russia must end its aggression, and this must be accompanied by strong…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 17, 2025

Macron's statement reflect growing European concerns about Trump’s approach to negotiations with Russia and the potential for a US-brokered deal that does not fully account for Ukrainian and European security needs.

The French President on Sunday also spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Russia’s war in Ukraine and the role Saudi Arabia could play in fostering a solid and lasting peace, with Europeans at the center of the process.

This afternoon, I spoke on the phone with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to review the situation in the Near and Middle East.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, I commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts alongside the Arab League—work that France will support…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 16, 2025