European Leaders Express Deep Skepticism Over US Ukraine Peace Initiatives
A confidential report from German magazine Spiegel has brought to light significant apprehension among French and German leaders regarding current U.S. efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. According to a transcript of a private call, both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed profound skepticism about Washington's approach to the delicate negotiations.
Concerns Over US Stance and Security Guarantees
During a recent discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other European counterparts, President Macron reportedly issued a stark warning. He suggested that the United States might abandon Ukraine's interests, particularly concerning territorial concessions, without clear and robust security guarantees. "There is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory without clarity on security guarantees," Macron was quoted as saying in the Spiegel report.
Echoing this sentiment, Chancellor Merz cautioned President Zelenskiy to be "very careful" in the coming days, implying that U.S. negotiators were "playing games." This advice was delivered during the same confidential call, which took place earlier this week.
Both Berlin and the French President's office have, as of now, refrained from immediate comment on the Spiegel report, indicating the sensitivity of the diplomatic situation.
Context of Ongoing Diplomatic Engagements
The European leaders' skepticism emerged amidst a flurry of intense diplomatic activity. Earlier in the week, European leaders collectively affirmed their support for President Zelenskiy following reports of U.S.-Ukrainian discussions aimed at revising a peace proposal that initially appeared to favor Russian terms.
Adding to the complex diplomatic landscape, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a meeting in the Kremlin with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These ongoing developments underscore the intricate and sensitive nature of the negotiations striving to find a resolution to the protracted conflict in Ukraine.