French President Emmanuel Macron is set to engage in additional virtual talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The talks, scheduled for Wednesday, will involve discussions with various European and non-European states. Macron will be joined by the acting President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, for an informal videoconference meeting with other heads of state and government. The primary objective of these discussions is to continue fostering collaboration among all stakeholders interested in promoting peace and security in Ukraine and Europe.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has also been invited to participate in the talks, as confirmed by his spokesperson. Notably, European leaders were excluded from the recent bilateral talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia. In response, European leaders convened their emergency meeting in Paris on Monday.
Despite his attendance at the emergency summit on Monday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will not be present at the upcoming talks on Wednesday, according to his spokesperson. Macron, in an interview with regional French newspapers, expressed concerns about Russia, labeling it as an 'existential threat' to Europe. He highlighted Russia's actions on the Polish border, cyber-attacks, and dissemination of disinformation as key areas of concern.
However, Macron also emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the importance of communication and diplomacy in addressing the complex geopolitical challenges facing the region.
