Europeans urged to unite for peace

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday evening urged Europeans to increase defense spending to ensure their security and bolster collective European efforts for a solid and lasting peace.

On X, Macron said he had briefed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Europe's collective efforts for peace during their fourth phone conversation in a week.

The conversation was "to take stock of all the contacts I have had with European partners and allies who are keen to work toward a lasting and solid peace for Ukraine and to strengthen Europe's security," Macron noted.

The phone call took place after Zelensky held a "productive meeting" with Keith Kellogg, the United States special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, in Kyiv.

The French president also said that the exchange with Zelensky served as preparation for his trip to Washington next Monday.

Before his talk with Zelensky, Macron gave an online interview during which he stressed that Europe seeks a lasting peace in Ukraine that aligns with international law.

Such peace, he insisted, "must not be negotiated without the Ukrainians, as it concerns them, nor without Europeans at the table, as it affects our collective security."

"We should spend more and spend better on European defense, making swift decisions at both national and European levels to enhance our autonomy and strength because our security is at stake," Macron said during the interview that was livestreamed on social media.

Macron said France has no intention of sending troops to fight in Ukraine, but remains committed to negotiating a lasting peace. However, he noted that France and its allies could play a role in guaranteeing Ukraine's security once a peace agreement is reached.

Following the recent high-level discussions between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, European leaders remain divided. However, many have come to realize that the priority is to bring Europeans to the negotiation table.

Unprecedented rift

US President Donald Trump's envoy for the Ukraine conflict met Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday but there was no immediate word on whether their talks had helped smooth over an unprecedented wartime rift between the once firm allies and key US officials indicated that major frustrations remain.

But Zelensky said his talks with Kellogg "give hope" in terms of achieving an agreement with Washington.

"We had a detailed conversation about the battlefield situation, how to return our prisoners of war, and effective security guarantees," Zelensky said on social media after the meeting.

"Strong Ukraine-US relations benefit the entire world," he added.

However, there was no joint news conference or statements after the discussions, as would typically accompany such a visit.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed Zelensky's legitimacy as Ukraine's democratically elected leader, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that Europe must make independent decisions in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Over the past three years, the EU has allocated 135 billion euros ($146.5 billion) to Ukraine's defense, according to official EU statistics. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the bloc's financial commitment, emphasizing Europe's central role in shaping Ukraine's future and ensuring it is not sidelined in key negotiations.

Xinhua - Agencies