Macron Warns Putin May Be “Playing” Trump in High-Stakes Ukraine Negotiations

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning about the Ukraine peace process. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be manipulating US President Donald Trump. Macron set a firm deadline of Monday for Putin to agree to direct talks with Ukraine’s leader.

The warning came during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This adds significant European weight to the growing skepticism surrounding the proposed summit. The situation tests the credibility of Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

Deadline Looms as Diplomatic Tensions Rise

Macron’s comments directly reference a deadline set by President Trump himself. Trump reportedly gave Putin a week or two to respond to the proposal for a meeting with Zelensky. That two-week window is set to expire on Monday.

According to Reuters, the White House initially expressed belief that Putin would agree to meet. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has since knocked down that possibility. German Chancellor Merz also stated this week that the meeting is unlikely to happen.

Zelensky Reinforces the Deadline and Seeks Global Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is actively reinforcing the Monday deadline. He publicly reminded world leaders of Trump’s own timeline. Zelensky pointed out that the two-week mark would be reached on that day.

Zelensky also engaged in diplomatic outreach, speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. He emphasized that Russia continues its violent attacks. Zelensky stated that Modi agreed on the need for a ceasefire, hoping this stance would be echoed during Modi’s visit to China for a summit.

The broader diplomatic community remains watchful. The failure of this proposed meeting would represent a significant setback. It would fuel existing concerns about the viability of current negotiation tracks.

The coming days are critical for international diplomacy. The world is watching to see if President Putin will engage in good-faith talks. The outcome will heavily influence the future direction of the Ukraine conflict.

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What is the specific deadline mentioned?

President Trump gave a two-week deadline for Putin to agree to meet Zelensky. That deadline expires on Monday.

Why does Macron think Putin is “playing” Trump?

Macron believes that if Putin fails to commit to the meeting by Monday, it will show he was not negotiating in good faith. It would indicate he was stringing Trump along without real intent.

How has Ukraine’s President Zelensky reacted?

Zelensky has reinforced the Monday deadline. He is also actively seeking support from other global leaders, like India’s Modi, to pressure Russia for a ceasefire.

What is Russia’s current position on the talks?

Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Lavrov, have dismissed the likelihood of a Putin-Zelensky meeting happening. This contradicts earlier White House optimism.

What was the context of Zelensky’s call with Modi?

Zelensky spoke with Modi about recent Russian strikes on Ukraine. He sought India’s support in calling for a ceasefire, especially as Modi attended a summit in China.

Sources: Reuters