Macron Urges Inclusion of Ukraine in Major Diplomatic Discussions

As diplomatic tensions rise, French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the imperative of including Ukraine in upcoming discussions concerning its future. This statement comes just days before a highly anticipated meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Macron articulated on X that "the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, who have been fighting for their freedom and security for more than three years now." He reiterated that the security of Ukrainians is a concern for Europe, necessitating their involvement in any potential resolutions. Prior to addressing the public, Macron had a conversation with several key leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, signaling a united European stance on this issue. Following the dialogue with Macron, Zelensky expressed on X that "Ukraine, France, and all our partners are ready to work as productively as possible for the sake of real peace." This statement underscores Ukraine's readiness to engage in cooperative efforts for a peaceful resolution. As the meeting between Trump and Putin approaches, it has been reported by the Wall Street Journal that Putin is aiming for comprehensive Russian control over the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk—an agenda that Zelensky adamantly opposes.