Macron addresses Trump's remarks, urges focus on Moscow's role
Moscow, not Kyiv, is the aggressor in the ongoing war, emphasised Emmanuel Macron on Friday. The President of France also directly referenced Donald Trump's remarks about "gambling with world war three."
Emmanuel Macron on Friday addressed comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump during his talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the entire meeting between the leaders.
In an interview with Portuguese television, he stated that a person who is "gambling with world war three" does not need to be "sought in Kyiv, but rather in Moscow." He added that he is prepared to "open a discussion" on European nuclear deterrence. The French media note that these comments are related to proposals by Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and likely the future Chancellor of Germany.
"If colleagues wish to move towards greater autonomy and deterrence capability, then we should open this deeply strategic discussion. It contains very sensitive and confidential elements, but I am prepared for such a discussion to commence," said Macron.
Dispute between Trump and Zelensky
Earlier on Friday, following a dispute between Trump and Zelensky, Macron posted on the X platform urging everyone to respect "those who have been fighting since the very beginning." He also emphasised that the aggressor in the ongoing war is Russia, and the victim is the Ukrainian people.
During the meeting at the White House between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, a heated argument ensued. The previously planned signing of the bilateral U.S.-Ukrainian agreement on mineral deposit exploitation was postponed. Zelensky left the White House, and Trump took to social media, calling on the Ukrainian president to return "when he is ready for peace," accusing him of being disrespectful towards the United States.
