The media revealed the conversation between EU leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky. Disturbing words were spoken
In addition to Zelensky, Tusk, Macron, Merz, Stubb and Rutte, the confidential conversation was also attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa.
Teleconference – as “Der Spiegel” emphasizes – was one of the most frank and at the same time most disturbing meetings of European leaders in months.
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“Serious danger” for the president of Ukraine. Details of the conversation between EU leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky
“Der Spiegel” obtained an English-language transcript of the conversation, during which the leaders allegedly expressed serious concerns about the attitude of the United States. According to the weekly French President Emmanuel Macron warned that there is a risk that the US will “betray Ukraine in the matter of territories”without offering it sufficient security guarantees. Macron had it too alert that Zelensky is in “serious danger”.
Read also: NATO increases weapons support for Ukraine. Poland joins the program
Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz – according to “Der Spiegel” – appealed to Zelensky for “maximum caution” in the coming days. He also pointed out that Donald Trump's advisors Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may be playing 'games with you and us'.
The weekly emphasizes that similar concerns were expressed by the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, who – despite good relations with Trump – warned against the informal duo of negotiators. “We cannot leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these people,” he allegedly said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was also said to have joined those concerned. “We must protect Volodymyr,” he said, according to the weekly's report.
Paris' denials, participants' silence, Europe's anxiety about the US attitude
The Élysée Palace denied that Macron spoke about possible betrayal by the US, although it was not revealed how exactly the French president expressed his comments. Zelensky's spokesman and Stubb's and Rutte's offices declined to comment. At the same time, two anonymous participants in the conversation confirmed to the weekly that the general content of the teleconference was reproduced correctly, but no decision was made to confirm the quoted statements.
Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office
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The “Spiegel” report also shows that European leaders were waiting for the opportunity to meet Witkoff and Kushner – Trump's advisers who were to return from Moscow and provide information about unofficial contacts. Merz even offered to ask Trump to send Witkoff to Brussels, but the meeting ultimately did not take place. Witkoff returned directly from Russia to the USA.
“Der Spiegel” estimates that the recording of the teleconference reveals European leaders' deep distrust of the United States when it comes to its role in the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. This is intended to contrast with public statements in which European leaders praise Washington's initiatives and declare Western unity.
