Macron appeals to Saudi prince regarding Ukraine discussions
The French president has communicated with Mohammed bin Salman in advance of the forthcoming US-Russian meeting scheduled to take place in Riyadh. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he recently spoke by phone with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their discussion covered various topics, including the Ukraine conflict and the European Union’s role in promoting an end to hostilities.
This conversation took place in anticipation of a US-Russian meeting scheduled to occur in Riyadh on Tuesday. In a post on X, Macron detailed the subjects they addressed, which also included the situations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Specifically regarding Ukraine, he mentioned that he discussed “the role Saudi Arabia could play in fostering a solid and lasting peace, with Europeans at the center of the process.”
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg had indicated earlier that European nations might not be part of the upcoming talks about Ukraine, expressing that Washington prefers to avoid “a large group discussion.”
Following the announcement of bilateral talks between the US and Russia last week, Macron advocated for an emergency summit among European Union leaders. His objective is to address the changing American approach to the conflict and to ensure that the EU remains central in peace negotiations.
Several leaders from EU nations, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have committed to attending the summit.
In the meantime, Kellogg has defended the decision to exclude Western Europe from the discussions in Riyadh, referencing the unsuccessful Minsk Agreements signed in 2015 between Ukraine and the now-Russian Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. He noted that Germany and France, which were meant to guarantee the accords, ultimately admitted they had only signed them to buy time for Kiev to strengthen its military.
“We are not gonna go down that path,” Kellogg emphasized.
Former President Trump has expressed optimism about a potential resolution to the Ukraine conflict, revealing after conversations with both Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky that both sides are keen to bring an end to the fighting.
Bloomberg reported that Trump’s team aims to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine by Easter, on April 20. Additionally, Kellogg has indicated that a detailed US peace plan might be revealed in the near future.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
This conversation took place in anticipation of a US-Russian meeting scheduled to occur in Riyadh on Tuesday. In a post on X, Macron detailed the subjects they addressed, which also included the situations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Specifically regarding Ukraine, he mentioned that he discussed “the role Saudi Arabia could play in fostering a solid and lasting peace, with Europeans at the center of the process.”
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg had indicated earlier that European nations might not be part of the upcoming talks about Ukraine, expressing that Washington prefers to avoid “a large group discussion.”
Following the announcement of bilateral talks between the US and Russia last week, Macron advocated for an emergency summit among European Union leaders. His objective is to address the changing American approach to the conflict and to ensure that the EU remains central in peace negotiations.
Several leaders from EU nations, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have committed to attending the summit.
In the meantime, Kellogg has defended the decision to exclude Western Europe from the discussions in Riyadh, referencing the unsuccessful Minsk Agreements signed in 2015 between Ukraine and the now-Russian Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. He noted that Germany and France, which were meant to guarantee the accords, ultimately admitted they had only signed them to buy time for Kiev to strengthen its military.
“We are not gonna go down that path,” Kellogg emphasized.
Former President Trump has expressed optimism about a potential resolution to the Ukraine conflict, revealing after conversations with both Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky that both sides are keen to bring an end to the fighting.
Bloomberg reported that Trump’s team aims to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine by Easter, on April 20. Additionally, Kellogg has indicated that a detailed US peace plan might be revealed in the near future.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
