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French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed that only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has the authority to negotiate with Russia to end the war, cautioning that any peace agreement amounting to capitulation would be detrimental to all, including the United States. Macron made these remarks in an interview with the Financial Times on Thursday.
“The only question at this stage is whether President Putin is genuinely, sustainably, and credibly willing to agree to a ceasefire on this basis. After that, it’s up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia,” Macron stated from the Elysee Palace.
His comments come as US President Donald Trump separately spoke with both Putin and Zelensky on Wednesday, instructing US officials to initiate talks aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long conflict. This development has raised concerns among Ukrainians, who fear Trump may broker a deal unfavourable to their country.
Trump later assured reporters at the White House that Ukraine would have a seat at the table in any negotiations, reinforcing the country’s role in shaping its own future.
However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier told Ukraine’s allies in Brussels that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was unrealistic and that NATO membership for Kyiv was not viewed as a viable solution.
Macron acknowledged that Trump’s intervention had created a “window of opportunity” for a negotiated settlement, stating that “everyone has to play their role.” He stressed that while Zelenskiy must lead discussions on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial concerns, the international community, particularly Europe, has a crucial role in shaping the broader security framework for the region.
Macron described Trump’s political resurgence as an “electroshock” for Europe, urging European nations to strengthen their defence capabilities and reduce reliance on US security guarantees. He reiterated the need for Europe to develop a fully integrated defence, industrial, and technological base.
Separately, Macron warned against the forced expulsion of Gazans, calling it “extremely dangerous” and citing it as an example of the “extreme strategic uncertainty” the world currently faces. His comments follow Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza’s residents and transform the war-torn territory into what he described as a “Riviera of the Middle East.” Additionally, Trump has expressed interest in acquiring the Panama Canal and Greenland, further fuelling concerns about global instability.
In January, speaking alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Macron stressed that Europe’s role in securing its own future was more critical than ever. “After the inauguration of a new administration in the United States, it is necessary more than ever for Europeans and for our two countries (France and Germany) to play their role of consolidating a united, strong, and sovereign Europe,” he said.
As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, Macron’s statements highlight Europe’s increasing urgency to assert its independence in defence and diplomacy while supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
Melissa Enoch
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