“French President Emmanuel Macron said that he has turned to several European colleagues with a proposal to join efforts to resume direct dialogue with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Illustrative photo: Getty Images Source: “European truth” with reference to Süddeutsche Zeitung
Details: The French president explained that his desire to resume direct dialogue with the Russian Federation is explained by the new phase of the war in Ukraine, when the parties have started peace negotiations.
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According to Macron, Europeans should not depend on the Americans in matters of contacts with Russia, because the future of their continent is at stake.
“My considerations are very simple: do we want to delegate the discussion of this issue to others? Our geographical position will not change, whether we like Russia or not, Russia will be there tomorrow… That is why it is important that we structure the renewal of the European discussion with the Russians, without naivety, without putting pressure on the Ukrainians, but also without depending on third parties in this discussion,” answered Macron.
With this in mind, the French leader invited several European colleagues to join him in efforts to resume dialogue with the Kremlin.
“For some, it was too early to send their diplomatic advisers, as we did,” Macron said, effectively confirming information about technical talks with the Russians.
Last week it became known that the diplomatic adviser of the French president, Emmanuel Bonn was in Moscow for talks with Russian officials. At that time, Macron did not confirm, but did not deny this information.
The French president also advocated that Europe’s position in the negotiations with Russia be defended by a limited number of representatives. Macron insists on the importance of such dialogue, otherwise, according to him, European interests will be decided by the USA.
“On the day when we will have peace, this peace will also concern Europe. Once again: would you like American envoys on your behalf, on behalf of Europe, to negotiate the date of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union? No, I’m sorry,” the French president said.
We will remind:
- In December, Macron said that the Europeans direct negotiations should be resumed with Putin. European leaders, wary of Putin’s military ambitions, resented their exclusion from peace talks led by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
- In February, Macron told reporters that ongoing efforts on resuming the dialogue with Putin at the technical level. Then he stated that these contacts are taking place in coordination with Ukraine.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported the idea of holding a dialogue with the Russian Federation, but on the condition that these contacts will not interfere negotiation process on ending the war.