The issue of Kiev handing over territory was not raised in the White House talks, despite calls from US President Donald Trump for compromise, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Asked by reporters whether Trump had spoken about the need for concessions before providing Ukraine with any US security guarantees, Macron replied: “No, it was not discussed at all. We are far from it.”
According to the French president, any future peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine cannot limit the size of the Ukrainian armed forces. Donald Trump and European leaders agreed on “the need for a strong Ukrainian army capable of repelling any attempt at aggression,” as well as on the fact that it would not have “any limitations on the number or power of weapons.”
Macron also called for stricter sanctions against Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not take steps to achieve peace with Ukraine.
“President Trump believes we can make a deal, and he believes President Putin wants a peace deal too. But if the outcome of that process is rejection, we are prepared to announce the need for tougher sanctions,” he said.
