Macron and Merz Urge Trump to Sanction Russia if Putin Rejects Peace Talks with Ukraine

In a significant diplomatic effort, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are set to call on former President Donald Trump this weekend to impose sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin fails to engage in peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a joint press conference following the Franco-German Ministerial Council in Toulon, France, Macron stressed the importance of holding Putin accountable for his commitments to negotiate with Zelensky as agreed with Trump. Macron emphasized, 'If Putin does not fulfill this commitment by Monday, it will indicate once more that he has misled Trump. Such behavior cannot go unanswered.' He and Merz plan to discuss this pressing matter with Trump in the coming days, indicating that a lack of willingness from the Russian leader to negotiate could prompt Paris and Berlin to advocate for comprehensive sanctions designed to compel Russia to the negotiating table. Merz added context to the ongoing situation, recalling the aftermath of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, which was supposed to lead to a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents shortly thereafter. However, he noted that Putin had made clear his unwillingness to follow through, instead imposing what Merz described as 'unacceptable conditions.' 'I am not surprised,' Merz commented on the Russian president's strategy, while also managing expectations about the ongoing conflict. 'I am not holding out hopes,' he stated, suggesting that the war may continue for months. Still, both leaders reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that their assistance aligns with their own national interests. Macron confirmed that next week, allies of Ukraine would gather to discuss strategies moving forward and expressed his intention to coordinate with the United States to apply pressure on Putin for a meeting with Zelensky. Additionally, he announced the upcoming gathering of the Coalition of Volunteers, which consists of 30 allied nations, primarily from Europe, aimed at consolidating military support for Ukraine. He highlighted that contributions from these nations towards security guarantees for Ukraine have been finalized. An essential component of this support includes building a robust Ukrainian military capable of defending itself, with plans to provide the necessary training and arms. Furthermore, Macron discussed the strategic importance of security guarantees, describing them as reassurance forces from allied nations that would be stationed in Ukraine under a potential peace accord, alongside support troops in neighboring countries to deter future Russian aggression. The concluding remarks from the Franco-German Ministerial Council reaffirm a joint commitment to bolstering Ukraine's air defense systems and enhancing its military industry capabilities. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hopeful for a diplomatic resolution while prepared for continued support of Ukraine. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2