French President Emmanuel Macron will use his upcoming visit to the White House to persuade US President Donald Trump to act together with his European allies, DPA reports, BTA reports.
The two leaders are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
During an online question-and-answer session, Macron said he would warn Trump that showing weakness towards Russian President Vladimir Putin would complicate US policy towards China and Iran.
"I will tell him: deep down you cannot be weak towards the president (Putin). This is not you, this is not your nature and it is not in your interest," the French president stressed.
After the online session, Macron announced that he had held another telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - the fourth in the last week. The two discussed Macron's contacts with European partners and allies who are working for lasting peace in Ukraine and to strengthen European security.
Zelensky described the conversation as "long and meaningful", emphasizing that a just and lasting peace is a common goal of France and Ukraine.
Over the past week, Macron has hosted several European leaders in search of a unified position on Ukraine amid possible American initiatives to end the war.