According to The Telegraph, French President Emmanuel Macron plans to advocate for Europe during discussions with Vladimir Putin regarding peace in Ukraine.
The document states that certain participants within the " coalition of willing" argue that the responsibility for engaging with Russia should fall upon a prominent European figure, as part of their strategy to back Kyiv.
According to The Telegraph, Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emerged as the primary figures expected to engage with Moscow. Nevertheless, the British PM has stated that he does not intend to hold talks with Putin amid the UK’s endeavors to aid Ukraine’s defenses.
In the meantime, a source from the Élysée Palace stated that Macron is prepared to assume this position "at the appropriate moment."
The media observes that ever since the onset of the full-scale conflict, the French president has assumed the role of a go-between for Europe and the Kremlin leadership. Despite facing significant criticism over his approach, he maintained diplomatic communications with Moscow far longer than most ardent supporters of Kyiv within Europe did.
Nevertheless, Macron stopped all direct communication with the Kremlin once he realized that Putin was determined not to halt the invasion. When questioned about restarting talks with the Russian president, an Élysée Palace spokesperson stated, “It seems we’re still not at that point.”
A month prior, following the European Council gathering, Macron spoke to reporters saying:
"I am prepared to speak with President Putin when we, along with President Zelensky and our European allies, deem the timing appropriate," stated the French president.
His comment was made as US President Donald Trump declared the initiation of peace negotiations with Putin. The Telegraph pointed out that currently, Trump is the sole global leader directly interacting with the Kremlin leader regarding the ceasefire arrangement in Ukraine.