Details of the telephone conversation that took place on Monday and included Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others were published by the German magazine “Der Spiegel”. The leaders discussed the peace negotiations led by the United States with Kiev and Moscow.
The Elysee Palace did not immediately respond to POLITICO's request for comment. “Der Spiegel” reported that the French authorities denied in a statement to the German media that Macron had talked about any betrayal. “The president did not use these words,” his office said, according to “Der Spiegel.”
Merz added that Zelensky must be “extremely careful in the coming days.”
“They are playing with you as well as with us” Merz said, apparently referring to Washington envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who spent five hours in talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
Merz's spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, told POLITICO: “As a matter of principle, I do not confirm or comment on parts of the conversations.”
“We must protect Volodymyr”
Stubb appeared to agree with Merz, according to the transcript. “We cannot leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these people.” he said, apparently referring to Witkoff and Kushner, which met with Rutte's approval.
“I agree with Alexander – we must protect Volodymyr,” said the NATO Secretary General. NATO declined to comment.
— We consider it inappropriate to publish any purported transcripts talks between leaders that could harm the diplomatic process — we do not confirm or deny any of the above information, a Ukrainian diplomat, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, tells POLITICO.
— Overall, only the Russians benefit from the divisions between Europe and America, so our consistent position is to maintain transatlantic unity – adds the diplomat. Zelensky's office declined to comment.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Paris, December 1, 2025.Christope Ena / AFP
European efforts
The conversation came after the Trump administration circulated a 28-point peace plan — reportedly drafted by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Witkoff and Kushner — that was criticized by Ukraine and European allies for being too favorable attitude towards Russia and sparked frantic negotiations in Geneva.
As a result of talks attended by representatives of Europe, Ukraine and the United States, an updated version was created 19-point planwhich Russia has not yet agreed to. Moscow has not backed down from its maximalist demands that Kiev give up vast swathes of unoccupied territory in the east, reduce the size of its armed forces and hold new elections.
According to the German magazine, Monday's telephone conversation was also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and European Council President Antonio Costa.
“Der Spiegel” reported that the issue of Russia's frozen assets was also discussed during the conversation. Some leaders argued that confiscating billions in Moscow funds to finance a massive tranche of financial and military aid to Ukraine was a matter for the EU, not the United States, to decide.
