Macron and Merz will convince Trump. They also announce further sanctions for Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that he and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz would talk to US President Donald Trump during the weekend. He assured that they would be in favor of sanctions for Russia next week if Moscow did not keep his promises once again.

At a press conference with Macron, Macron reminded that Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that he would meet with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zielnski. If this conversation does not reach Monday, then – according to the French president – it would mean that Putin deceived Trump.

Macron was in favor of further sanctions against Moscow. – We will continue to press that secondary sanctions are taken by us (European countries -Pap) – we are ready for this, but also by the United States to force Russia to return to the negotiating table – said the president. Merz estimated that Putin shows no will to meet with Zelanski and sets preliminary conditions that are “unacceptable”.

The German Chancellor emphasized that the war could last many months. – We should definitely prepare for it. We are ready – assured Merz. He added that “maintaining a coalition of volunteers” is a priority for Germany and France and that this group, which brings together about 30 countries, is ready to “help Ukraine in a very specific way.”

Macron announced that the next meeting of the Coalition will take place next week.

Two leaders also commented on the criticism of the US President regarding European digital services. “We do this because of our own business,” Muz emphasized, adding that “the sovereignty of the EU legislation and its member states cannot be questioned.” Macron warned that European countries “would not allow anyone to decide” for them and assured that any steps taken by the US would meet with the European Union's response.

During the two-day visit of Merz in France, a meeting of a joint French-German council of ministers took place. In the final communication, France and Germany confirmed that “they will start strategic dialogue” at the level of the President of France and the German Chancellor regarding nuclear deterrence. Foreign ministers and defense of both countries will be involved in this process.

From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)

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