Macron Urges Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks, Cautions Against Trump’s Quick Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has the authority to negotiate peace with Russia. He warned that a settlement resembling capitulation would be detrimental to global stability, including U.S. interests. Speaking to the Financial Times, Macron questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to commit to a credible ceasefire and emphasized that the final negotiations rest with Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently spoke with both Putin and Zelenskiy, directing officials to initiate talks to end the nearly three-year war. However, his outreach raised concerns in Ukraine that he may compromise their sovereignty. Trump reassured that Ukraine would play a central role in any peace discussions.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in Brussels that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, before Russia annexed Crimea, was unrealistic. He also noted that NATO membership for Kyiv was not considered part of a viable resolution. Macron stressed Europe’s responsibility in defining regional security measures and offering guarantees.

Macron described Trump’s return to global diplomacy as an “electroshock,” urging Europe to strengthen its defense and act independently when necessary. He called for a fully integrated European defense and industrial base.

Separately, Macron criticized Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza residents and transform the region into a tourism hub, calling it “extremely dangerous.” He also condemned Trump's reported ambitions concerning Greenland and the Panama Canal as signs of “strategic uncertainty.”

In January, alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Macron emphasized the importance of European unity in the face of shifting U.S. policies, advocating for a stronger and more sovereign Europe.