Macron’s message to Trump: ‘You may’t be weak within the face of Putin’

French President Emmanuel Macron stated he intends to inform Donald Trump that it is within the joint curiosity of Individuals and Europeans to not “be weak” within the face of Russia’s Vladimir Putin amid U.S.-led negotiations to finish the just about three-year struggle in Ukraine.

Macron is to journey to Washington to satisfy with Trump on Monday, the White Home stated.

In a one-hour query and reply session on his social media Thursday, Macron stated he’ll inform Trump: “You may’t be weak within the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your curiosity. How will you then be credible within the face of China if you happen to’re weak within the face of Putin?”

Trump’s current statements that echo Putin’s narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officers frightened. However Macron urged Trump’s technique to create “uncertainty” in talks with Russia might truly make Western allies stronger in these talks.

Putin “doesn’t know what he (Trump) goes to do, he thinks (Trump) is able to something,” Macron stated. “This uncertainty is nice for us and for Ukraine.”

Macron added he would search to steer Trump that U.S. pursuits and Europeans’ pursuits are the identical, telling him: “For those who let Russia take over Ukraine, it could be unstoppable.”

Which means any peace deal have to be negotiated with Ukrainians and Europeans across the desk, Macron reaffirmed.

“We wish peace, however we don’t desire a ceasefire meaning Ukraine surrendering, as a result of that’s harmful. And we all know that will result in Russia going additional. We’ve already skilled it,” he stated.

Macron additionally appeared able to reply Trump’s name to spice up protection spending. “Us, Europeans, we should improve our struggle effort,” he stated.

Requested about whether or not he is contemplating sending French troops to Ukraine, he stated he wouldn’t ship troopers to struggle in Ukraine however relatively a safety power meant to carry “ensures” as soon as a peace deal is achieved.

“We do not rule out, inside a framework deliberate with our allies, the potential of having forces which, as soon as peace has been negotiated, might contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine’s safety,” he stated.