Published February 19,2025
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French President Emmanuel Macron was set on Wednesday to host a brand new assembly on Ukraine in a bid to coordinate a European response to what he referred to as an “existential threat” from Russia after a shock coverage shift in Washington.
Macron deliberate to talk to leaders of round 15 international locations together with Canada, with most participating by video hyperlink, in line with the presidency.
US President Donald Trump has surprised the European Union by indicating he is able to resume diplomacy with Vladimir Putin after three years of Russia’s battle towards Ukraine and focus on the destiny of the pro-Western nation over the heads of not solely Europe but additionally Kyiv.
Urging a coordinated response to Washington’s obvious pivot to Moscow, Macron on Monday convened key European leaders in addition to NATO and EU chiefs for emergency talks.
Several smaller European international locations together with Romania and the Czech Republic have been reportedly aghast at not being invited regardless of being sturdy supporters of Ukraine, with Macron convening a brand new assembly on Wednesday.
Macron was set to carry talks in particular person with Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan on Wednesday afternoon, the presidency mentioned.
The two leaders then deliberate to participate in an “informal video conference meeting” with different heads of state and authorities, the Elysee mentioned.
The assertion didn’t present additional particulars, however leaders of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Canada have been anticipated to participate.
French each day Le Monde pointed to the “frustration of the European countries” that weren’t invited to Monday’s talks.
But Le Monde additionally mentioned that the leaders of a few of these international locations have been in a troublesome political scenario as they’re “confronted with a strong increase in pro-Russian forces on their domestic political scene”.
France has been one among Ukraine’s primary Western backers since Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
– ‘MUST OPEN OUR EYES’ –
“Russia poses an existential threat to Europeans,” Macron mentioned in an interview with French regional newspapers revealed on Tuesday.
“Do not think that the unthinkable cannot happen, including the worst.”
Macron appeared open to the concept of sending forces to Ukraine however emphasised that this might happen solely in probably the most restricted trend and away from battle zones.
France was contemplating, together with Britain, to ship “experts or even troops in limited terms, outside any conflict zone,” he mentioned.
Trump precipitated consternation on Tuesday by blaming Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelensky for Russia’s invasion.
The expenses made by Trump have been a part of a collection of “incomprehensible” remarks that raised questions in regards to the “coherence” of the US place on Ukraine, French authorities spokeswoman Sophie Primas mentioned.
“We do not quite understand the American logic,” she added.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot for his half mentioned France might need to make some troublesome selections.
“Russia has decided to make enemies of us, and we must open our eyes, realise the scale of the threat and protect ourselves,” he advised broadcaster RTL.
“If we do nothing, if we remain blind to the threat, the front line will move ever closer to our borders.”
To sustain the strain on Moscow, EU international locations on Wednesday agreed a brand new spherical of sanctions on Russia, diplomats mentioned
Source: www.anews.com.tr