FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiGerman magazine Spiegel cited a transcript of a confidential phone call yesterday showing that the French president and the German chancellor have expressed skepticism about efforts by the US government and its envoys to negotiate a peace between Ukraine and Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has denied reports that he warned his Ukrainian counterpart of betrayal by the United States.
The French president said unity between Europe and the United States was key in supporting Ukraine, adding that there was no "distrust" and denying a report that he had said there was a risk that Washington could betray Ukraine.
"Unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it again and again, we must work together," Macron told reporters during a visit to China, Reuters reports.
German magazine Spiegel cited a transcript of a confidential phone call yesterday showing that the French president and the German chancellor have expressed skepticism about efforts by the US government and its envoys to negotiate a peace between Ukraine and Russia.
"I deny everything," Macron said, when asked about the Spiegel report.
"We need the United States for peace. The United States needs us for this peace to be sustainable and strong," he added.
European media yesterday published a leaked conversation between several EU leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding fuel to the fire regarding relations with the US.
Der Spiegel, as the first source of information, has made the international rounds. It talks about a recorded "conference call" that seems to have fallen into the hands of journalists.
French leader Macron and German leader Merz have been drastic about the US role in peace negotiations, declaring that the US could betray Ukraine and also citing the danger to President Zelensky.
So far there has been no comment from the White House, but even the leaders themselves, their press offices have denied that the quotes are complete and accurate.
The full "Der Spiegel" article:
European leaders of state and government appear to be deeply distrustful of the United States when it comes to peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
According to notes of a conference call obtained by DER SPIEGEL, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron used drastic words in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several other senior European politicians to warn that the US could betray Ukraine and Europe.
"There is a possibility that the US will betray Ukraine regarding territory, without clarity on security guarantees," Macron said, according to English-language transcripts of the call obtained by DER SPIEGEL.
According to him, for Zelensky "there is a big risk." Russia's demands for territorial concessions are one of the most delicate points of the negotiations.
According to the notes, Merz said Zelenskyy should be "very careful" in the coming days.
"They are playing games with you and with us," Merz said, most likely referring to the two American negotiators: Steve Witkoff, a real estate magnate, and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
These and other statements reproduced in the notes of the conversation illustrate the Europeans' deep distrust of Trump's two confidants.
While Europeans have consistently praised Washington's new peace initiative, the document shows that, in addition to Merz and Macron, other participants in the call also do not trust the American envoys.
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