Paris - Saba:
French president Emmanuel Macron affirmed on Thursday that it is impossible to discuss the terms of a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine as long as hostilities continue.
During an interview with LCI channel while visiting Madagascar, Macron stated: "All other issues (besides a ceasefire) are peace negotiations that take into account military positions, territorial matters, and security issues. But as long as Russia continues its strikes on Kyiv, we cannot demand [the Kyiv government] to accept certain conditions."
Macron also dismissed as unfair media reports suggesting that Volodymyr Zelensky's rejection of settlement terms proposed by Washington had angered U.S. President Donald Trump.
He confirmed that he had recently spoken with the White House leader and discussed the situation in Ukraine.
Macron added that U.S. anger should be directed at Russia, not Ukraine.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the US was scheduled to present a seven-point settlement plan in London, including Washington's recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
Zelensky rejected this proposal in advance, and then, as the New York Times reported, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided not to travel to Britain. The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine refused to participate in the meeting in London.
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