“It is a first movement that is not enough. »» This is Emmanuel Macron’s response this Sunday, May 11, to Vladimir Putin’s proposal. The Russian President spoke of direct negotiations between his country and Ukraine, From next Thursday in Istanbul, Following the immediate and unconditional ceasefire required by Volodymyr Zelensky and its allies.
“The unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations by definition”, Assured the French head of state with several journalists to his descent from the train to the Polish city of Przemysl, on the return from a trip to Ukraine with the German Friedrich Merz, the British Keir Starmer and the Polish Donald Tusk. According to the President of the Republic, this counter-proposition shows that Vladimir Putin “Looking for a way”, but “That there is always the desire to save time at home”.
” Lhe Ukrainians cannot accept parallel discussions while they continue to be bombed »»
For Emmanuel Macron, the Russian president could not simply reject the Western proposal, because he would have put himself “On the wrong side”. Furthermore, “It is also a way to show your ambiguity towards the Americans”he continued. “He proposed something else, so I think we have to hold on to the Americans to say that the ceasefire is unconditional, and then we can discuss the rest”added the French president.
“Besides, I think it is unacceptable for Ukrainians because they cannot accept parallel discussions when they continue to be bombed”insisted Emmanuel Macron. He also judges that the holding of negotiations in Istanbul is not desirable for Volodymyr Zelensky due to the previous ” complicated »Russian-Ukrainian talks kept shortly after the Russian invasion in 2020 in the Turkish city. The latter had not succeeded.
A “” positive sign »» For Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised this Sunday, May 11 on X “” positive sign »» Sent by Vladimir Putin to end hostilities. “” The whole world has been waiting for this moment for a very long time. And this is the first step towards any real end of a war and a ceasefire »»he continued. Before adding: “” We are waiting for Russia to confirm a ceasefire – complete, durable and reliable – from tomorrow (Monday, editor’s note) on May 12, Ukraine is ready to comply with it »».
For his part, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, was delighted with“A great day potential” After the Russian president’s proposal. The Republican said he was counting “Continue working With kyiv and Moscow to end the conflict as quickly as possible.
