France demands Ukraine and Europe's participation in Trump-Putin talks

Macron: Ukraine and Europe should be present at Trump-Putin talks

Paris' position on the upcoming negotiations

President of France Emmanuel Macron stressed that Ukraine and European countries should be involved in potential negotiations between US President Donald Trump і Russian leader Vladimir Putin, that may occur in Budapest.

«From the moment they discuss the fate of Ukraine, Ukrainians must be at the table. And from the moment they talk about issues that affect the security of Europeans, Europeans must also be present,» Macron said.

Context.

The initiative of the Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest has been the subject of intense discussion in international circles. Earlier, Trump said he wanted to «end the war in Europe» by direct negotiations with Moscow.

European leaders, in particular Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are in favour of participation of Ukraine in any peace initiatives to avoid decisions being taken without its consent.

Kyiv's reaction

The Ukrainian side has not yet commented on Macron's statement, but earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had repeatedly emphasised that No decisions about Ukraine's future can be made without Ukraine.