Russian invasion Negotiations

Macron has taken the lead in negotiations – has a different strategy with Trump

French President Emmanuel Macron is hated by many in France, but has nevertheless taken the driver's seat among European leaders in the negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the US. This is reported by The Sunday Times.

In Monday's meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, Macron sat on the president's right. He himself is convinced that he understood how to handle Trump and that he has created a good bond with him. While everyone else wanted to shower the American president with compliments, Macron chose a different angle.

He told Trump that the best invitation Vladimir Putin had received in recent years was from North Korea. The meeting on American soil was therefore not only a great honor for Putin, but also the end of his isolation from the West.

– I speak directly to him (Trump, editor's note). Sometimes there is a bad atmosphere between us, but unlike others, I never make fun of him, says Macron.

Two experts say: “Honestly, we are a little closer to peace”

Negotiations have been going on for several months between Ukraine, Russia, the EU and the US. But how close are we really to peace? Two experts give SvD their reasoning on the matter.

Alexandr Golts, an analyst at the Center for East European Studies at the Swedish Institute for International Affairs, believes that peace is closer to Trump in the White House. And this has become even clearer since the talks in Istanbul in May.

But what is standing in the way is that Putin does not want to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj – it would have meant too great a loss of prestige for him, says Golts.

Isak Svensson, professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University, believes that the negotiations have become too focused on summits. It is not the most effective peace solution, but it is still worth trying, he says.

– This is not a conflict that will end with a victory for one side, says Svensson.

The twists and turns of a ceasefire – this has happened

2025, February: The US and Russia agree in Saudi Arabia to appoint delegations to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. The US approves Russian demand for new elections before a peace agreement.

2025, March: Ukraine and the US propose a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia rejects the proposal and excludes foreign troops from Ukraine. Negotiations are held in Saudi Arabia and Moscow.

2025, April: US attempts to mediate a ceasefire stall. Ukraine demands a complete ceasefire without conditions. Russia demands sanctions relief before negotiations.

2025, May: Trump and Zelensky demand an immediate ceasefire. The US 22-point plan is discussed but Russia refuses. Ukraine and Russia begin talks in Turkey without a breakthrough.

2025, June:  New talks in Istanbul lead to prisoner exchange but no ceasefire. Russia puts forward maximalist demands, Ukraine demands unconditional ceasefire and return of children.

2025, July: Ukraine proposes new ceasefire meeting and demands return of abducted children. New peace talks are planned in Turkey, but the parties are far apart.

2025, August: Putin has offered a ceasefire in exchange for control of Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea, according to the Wall Street Journal. Donald Trump has expressed support for an unconditional ceasefire and said that a deal is close, according to CNN. Putin visited Trump in Alaska, but an agreement was not reached.