European leaders have made plain they would not follow President Donald Trump’s proposals to assist Russia re-enter the world market and remove international sanctions unless Moscow ceases its unlawful war, so effectively killing the Black Sea truce.
The Trump administration earlier this week bragged about its talks with Ukraine and Russia and said both countries had consented to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea; the Kremlin later verified this was only dependent on the lifting of international economic limits.
Standing next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wednesday night, French President Emmanuel Macron allegedly stated, “Russia shall have no right of say regarding the support we are providing and will provide Ukraine, nor shall they set the conditions.”
Macron stated it was “much too early” to be talking about any EU officials verified to AWN Digital that sanctions are a primary leverage weapon European leaders would not give up easy as the Kremlin continues to make demands.
Macron said, “In the end, sanctions are only dependent on Russia’s choice of aggression; hence, their lifting is also dependent on Russia’s decision to follow international law.”
Leaders from 30 nations and the head of NATO met in Paris on Thursday as part of the France-U.K.-led “coalition of the willing,” which was spearheaded following Trump’s re-entrance into the White House and amid concerns the U.S. could no longer be considered a reliable partner for Ukraine or Europe.
Leaders from Poland, Italy, and Turkey attended the third of its type international conference, which the U.S. was not invited.
As the geopolitical reality changes in Europe, France and the United Kingdom, the clear bulwarks of this new foundation of support for Ukraine, have been toeing the line to preserve good ties with the United States.
According to reports, Macron talked with Trump before the Wednesday meeting and the U.K. on Thursday reiterated its dedication to “back U.S. efforts to make real progress despite ongoing Russian obfuscation.”
Unlike President Zelenskyy, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has demonstrated he is not a major actor in these peace negotiations, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a statement before the Thursday session. “Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good-faith involvement from all parties.”
His assurances are empty, the statement said. President Zelenskyy has shown his dedication many times; the U.S. is leading by calling the ceasefire negotiations; Europe is working to fulfill its responsibilities to protect Ukraine’s future.
Starmer remarked, “Now Putin has to demonstrate willingness to cooperate.”
In its ongoing battle against Russia, France on Wednesday promised another $2.1 billion for Kyiv; additional assistance commitments are anticipated to be revealed Thursday.
The White House ignored AWN Digital’s inquiries over the apparent breakdown of the Black Sea truce.
Earlier in the week, after the Kremlin released a list of economic relief requests, a White House official stated, “Our involvement is ongoing. In our efforts for a ceasefire of hostilities, we agreed on wording with both sides.
The official said “the Russians engaged us…with requests for more negotiations.”
“President Trump believes in diplomacy and in giving diplomacy every chance to succeed,” the official stated.
