Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just been given his most profound warning yet, by French President Emmanuel Macron about the most uncertain moments ahead for Ukraine. During a recent call with several European leaders, Macron cautioned that there is a “big danger” for Ukraine as negotiations regarding the ongoing conflict intensify. This alarming message emerged from a leaked note reported by Der Spiegel, indicating the seriousness of the current diplomatic climate.
The list of signatories reads like a Who’s Who of European leadership, a sign of the deepening recognition that Ukraine’s long-term future is threatened by changing international dynamics. Macron’s remarks in particular highlighted that we are entering a time of great danger for Zelenskyy during these negotiations. He went on to say that the choices that are taken in this window could have long term consequences on Europe’s stability and security.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition in Germany, made a point of calling for caution, warning that Zelenskyy needs to be “extremely careful” as he pursues these talks. Merz focused on the responsibility of European countries to take the lead in determining the future use of financial resources associated with Russia. These resources are now held in frozen under European jurisdiction.
“We cannot leave it to other, non-European countries to decide what happens to the financial resources of an aggressor that have been lawfully frozen within the jurisdiction of our constitutional state and in our own currency,” – Friedrich Merz
An unprecedented 28-point peace plan by the US to stop the war in Ukraine. We’re encouraged that this proposal lays the groundwork for the warnings we’ve called for. This proposal has drawn criticism for being developed without input from Ukraine’s European allies, raising concerns about its alignment with Ukraine’s interests. Many perceive it as reflecting Moscow’s maximalist demands rather than addressing Ukraine’s needs adequately.
European leaders are starting to panic. Finland’s Alexander Stubb has called for this solidarity, and it is indeed the absence of this critical spirit of solidarity that undermines Europe. Stubb remarked that “we must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys,” underscoring the necessity for European unity in the face of external pressures.
Merz underscored the feeling expressed by Stubb and others, that these diplomatic moves are tangle with danger. He remarked, “They are playing games with both you and us,” referring to the ongoing negotiations involving U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have recently traveled to Moscow for discussions.
Add to this the idea that the choices we make today will reverberate for decades to come. Merz stated, “What we decide now will determine the future of Europe,” highlighting the weight of responsibility on European leaders as they respond to these developments.
Today, leaders are working through some major conversations. They’re doing their best to walk the line between pursuing a diplomatic resolution and ensuring that Ukraine’s interests are always at the forefront. The anxiety in these negotiations underscores the necessity for Europe to recognize its peril and unite. A strategic, coordinated response will address the urgent humanitarian concerns and support long-term economic security throughout the region.