Macron: Putin’s Refusal to Meet Zelensky Means Trump Has Been Outplayed

According to the English​ section of webangah ⁤News Agency, quoting ​France 24 via Mehr News Agency, French President ‌Emmanuel Macron has set a deadline for his Russian ⁢counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to hold a direct meeting and talks with Ukrainian⁢ President Volodymyr Zelensky aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

Expressing hope ‌for such a meeting, Macron warned that if Putin does not agree ​to⁤ meet Zelensky by the ⁤Monday⁢ deadline, “then it will once again ⁢become clear that Putin has played Trump.”

He also cautioned that Paris would move forward ‍with imposing new primary and secondary sanctions designed to increase pressure on Moscow.

Macron’s remarks came after recent diplomatic activity seemingly gained momentum⁣ following meetings involving U.S. President ​Donald Trump‍ with both Putin in Alaska and Zelensky ‌along⁣ with several European leaders at the White House. These efforts aim to bring an end to the three-and-a-half-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

after discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in southern France, Macron said: “I think it would be bad news for none of us if we​ receive no response (from Russia). I hope (the meeting between Putin and Zelensky) happens but ‍if not,we will strive to impose primary and secondary sanctions to pressure Russia into coming back​ to the negotiating table.”

Previously describing‍ Putin as a “monster at Europe’s gates,” a‍ characterization that angered ⁣Moscow, Macron showed no regret about his statement: “We say there is a monster at Europe’s gates; this is exactly what Georgians⁢ (after their 2008 attack), Ukrainians, and many other countries have deeply felt-that someone decided to fully embrace authoritarianism and resorted to imperialism and conquest by ⁣redrawing international borders.”

The French⁣ president also commented on Moscow’s ​recent large-scale offensive against Kyiv.He said Putin tends “to‍ say one ⁤thing during international ​negotiations but act differently.”

“The gap between Putin’s positions in international forums⁢ and what actually happens on the ground shows how hypocritical he is,” Macron⁢ added.

During this ⁣meeting, chancellor Merz noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine could continue ‌for many more months. He added he ‍was “not delusional about prospects for an immediate outcome.”

Mentz affirmed Germany’s commitment: “We will ​not abandon Ukraine.” He⁢ further claimed that “Putin evidently is not ready whatsoever” for talks with Zelensky.