French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly insisted there is "no mistrust" between Europe and the United States regarding the war in Ukraine. This declaration comes just a day after a major German publication reported he had privately warned of a risk that Washington might betray Kyiv in peace negotiations.
Leaked Call Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
The controversy stems from a report by Der Spiegel on Thursday, which cited a leaked summary of a confidential call between European leaders. According to the transcript, Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed fundamental doubts about American-led mediation efforts between Ukraine and Russia.
The leaked document allegedly quoted Macron warning Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that "there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees." He reportedly described the current negotiation phase as harbouring "a big danger" for Zelenskyy. Chancellor Merz was said to have advised the Ukrainian leader to be "very careful," adding that "they are playing games with both you and us."
This remark was believed to reference a diplomatic mission to Moscow this week by Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the former US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The pair held a five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday.
Macron's Firm Denial and Call for Unity
When questioned about the explosive report on Friday during a visit to China, President Macron responded bluntly: "I deny everything." He instead emphasised the critical importance of transatlantic solidarity.
"Unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it again and again, we need to work together," Macron told reporters. He added that Europe welcomed US peace efforts and stated that "The United States of America needs Europeans to lead these peace efforts."
The alleged leak risked angering Donald Trump, whom European leaders have been careful to engage, recognising his potential pivotal role in any future mediation with Moscow.
EU Scrambles to Secure Vital Ukraine Funding
The diplomatic storm erupted as European leaders raced to salvage a crucial financing plan for Ukraine, whose state coffers are running dangerously low. With Russian attacks intensifying, Kyiv is running out of money to fund its defence and basic state functions.
Chancellor Merz held emergency talks on Friday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The EU has pledged to support Ukraine next year and aims to raise €90 billion (£80 billion) to cover about two-thirds of its estimated needs for 2026 and 2027.
Von der Leyen has proposed two primary options:
- Borrowing against the EU's shared budget on international markets.
- Issuing a loan secured by immobilised Russian assets—largely held in Belgium—which Kyiv would later repay using future Russian war reparations.
However, the plan faces a significant hurdle. Prime Minister De Wever has voiced strong opposition to seizing frozen Russian sovereign assets, calling it "a nice idea, stealing from the bad guy to give to the good guy." He argued that "stealing the frozen assets of another country has never been done," noting that even after the Second World War, Germany's money was not confiscated.
As the fighting continues, with a Russian drone strike killing a 12-year-old boy in central Ukraine on Thursday, the pressure on European leaders is immense. In an op-ed, Chancellor Merz warned that the decisions made in the coming days would "decide the question of European independence."
