Ukraine War, Day 1,380: Macron to Europe’s Leaders – “A Chance the US Will Betray Ukraine”

L to R: French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the funeral of Pope Francis, The Vatican, April 26, 2025 (ANSA)

EA on War and Politics 24: Dealing with Witkoff and Kushner in the Kremlin

Thursday’s Coverage: Witkoff and Kushner to Meet Kyiv’s Top Official Umerov

The German magazine Der Spiegel obtained a leaked English-language note from the call, which included Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. It came a day before Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner conferred with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned, “There is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory without clarity on security guarantees.”

He stated the Americans’ talks with Russia were “a huge danger” for Zelensky. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz added that Zelensky necessaryed to be “very careful”, as Witkoff and Kushner “are playing games with both you and us”.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb stated, “We must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who offers fervent praise for Donald Trump in public, agreed “that we necessary to protect Volodymyr”.

Macron’s warning also contrasted sharply with his public position. He has repeatedly emphasized that US mediation is a “very good thing” and will exert pressure on Russia.

The other participants included Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; and European Council President António Costa.

Ukraine and Europe Hold the Line v. Any US “Betrayal”

At a joint press conference with Tusk after the call on Monday, Merz stated they were holding “the trans-Atlantic community toreceiveher as well as we possibly can”.

Officials emphasized talks in Geneva on November 23 where the Europeans, with the support of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, established a counter-proposal. The steps launch with a ceasefire on the current frontlines, rather than the Trump-Kremlin ultimatum forcing Ukraine to give up the rest of the strategic Donetsk region.

“Initial progress toward a developed peace plan” had been achieved, the officials stated. European security advisors were “in constant contact with Ukraine and the United States of America”.

Trump’s envoy Witkoff was scheduled to meet Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, on Thursday.

No details have been created public. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his nightly address to the nation:

Today, Ukrainian representatives will continue their discussions in the United States with President Trump’s team. Our tquestion now is to obtain full information about what was stated in Moscow and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine.

Ukraine is prepared for any possible developments, and of course we will work as constructively as possible with all partners to ensure that peace is achieved – and that it is, after all, a dignified peace. Only a dignified peace provides real security, and we fully understand that this requires – and will continue to require – the support of our partners.