In a significant development highlighting deep transatlantic tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly issued a stark private warning to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a report by Der Spiegel, covered by The Guardian, Macron cautioned that there is "a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees."
European Leaders Voice Grave Concerns in Private Call
The alarming warning was delivered during a recent confidential phone conversation involving several European heads of state. Der Spiegel claims to have obtained an English-language summary of this discussion, which contained direct quotes from the leaders expressing serious doubts about Washington's current strategy in negotiations with Russia.
President Macron characterised the present phase of diplomatic talks as containing "a big danger" for Ukraine and its besieged president. His sentiment was echoed by Germany's Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who advised President Zelensky to be "very careful." In a pointed remark, Merz reportedly told Zelensky, "They are playing games with both you and us." The German magazine interpreted this statement as a direct reference to the controversial diplomatic mission to Moscow undertaken by President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, earlier this week.
Broad Skepticism Over US-Led Peace Framework
The report reveals a wave of profound unease among European allies regarding the American approach to ending the conflict. Several leaders on the call voiced broad skepticism about the US-led framework for a potential settlement.
Finland's President, Alexander Stubb, who is described as having bonded with Trump over golf, issued a rallying cry to his colleagues. He reportedly warned, "We must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys." Even NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, known for maintaining warm public relations with the former US President, agreed with Stubb's assessment. Rutte was quoted as stating that "we need to protect Volodymyr."
US Proposal Seen as Favouring Russian Demands
The roots of this European anxiety lie in a 28-point proposal to halt the war, which Washington unveiled last month. This plan, drafted without consulting European allies, has been widely criticised across Europe for appearing too close to Russia's maximalist demands, as per The Guardian's report.
A flurry of high-stakes diplomacy has followed the proposal's release. US and Ukrainian negotiators have held meetings in Geneva and Florida. This diplomatic activity culminated in the visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow on Tuesday, a move that has evidently intensified European fears about the direction of US policy and its potential consequences for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
