Zelensky opened the statement by saying that “Russia started the war – and is the only one capable of stopping it.” He then referred to the fighting on the ground: “I recommend you look more at Ukrainian sources reporting on the fighting. Not one of Russia’s military operations was successful. They claim that the Russian army raided cities, but that is simply not true – and they are still under our control.”
Regarding the ongoing negotiations, he said that “the most important question being debated at the moment is the question of the territory”. Macron added that “in the coming weeks, the pressure we will exert on Russia, the Russian economy and Russia’s ability to finance the war will change significantly.”
Macron recently stood out as the most appropriate European leader to stand up to the Trump administration, and even publicly opposed the original American peace plan on the grounds that it constituted “surrender”. However, the diplomatic moves are accompanied by growing frustration in Europe.