Emmanuel Macron has reportedly warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy that “there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees”, according to a leaked note from a recent call obtained by the German magazine Der Spiegel.
The magazine reported that it had obtained an English summary of Monday’s call, featuring direct quotations from European heads of government expressing fundamental doubts about Washington’s approach to peace talks. The French president described the current tense phase of negotiations as harbouring “a big danger” for Ukraine’s embattled leader.
Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, reportedly added that Zelenskyy needed to be “very careful”, saying: “They are playing games with both you and us.” Der Spiegel concluded this was a reference to a diplomatic mission to Moscow this week by President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Other leaders voiced concerns, with Finland’s Alexander Stubb reportedly warning: “We must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys.” Even Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who in public is very complimentary of Trump, reportedly agreed “that we need to protect Volodymyr”.
Der Spiegel said it spoke with “several” participants who confirmed the call took place, and two said the remarks were “accurately reproduced”. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy declined to comment, as did Merz’s office, while the Élysée Palace contested the quotes attributed to Macron. Rutte’s office declined to comment.
The leak comes amid a flurry of diplomacy after Washington presented a 28-point proposal to halt the war in Ukraine, drafted without input from European allies and criticised as too close to Moscow’s demands. The German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, warned in parliament that an imposed peace would be “disastrous” for Europe’s security.
