Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday emphasized the urgency of reigniting dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to secure a ceasefire and establish a peace agreement. Macron made these remarks upon his arrival at the Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro, underscoring his support for direct negotiations between the two nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Macron conveyed, "We have always supported direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Kremlin," highlighting his belief that Ukraine and Russia are pivotal in crafting both a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace plan. He further pointed out that Europe, being one of the largest contributors to Ukraine's war effort, holds a key position in the peace process.
Macron stressed the necessity of European involvement at the negotiating table, stating, "Europeans will, at some point, need to be involved at the negotiating table for a peace plan, because this concerns a peace and security architecture for Europeans, given the realities of geography." He also confirmed his upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and extended invitations to the Coalition of the Willing for talks in Paris scheduled for July 13-14.
In his discourse with reporters, Macron mentioned his regular communication with President Trump, revealing that they discussed Iran and the Ukraine-Russia issue. Macron reiterated the importance of collective pressure and emphasized Europe's responsibility in the matter.
These developments coincide with renewed interest in negotiations from both Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in an open letter published Thursday, called for direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed Ukraine's willingness to uphold a ceasefire during negotiations. Additionally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that Putin had reviewed Zelenskyy's letter and might address the issue during his appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum later in the day. Peskov expressed Moscow's hope for the resumption of talks with Ukraine following a recent hiatus.