Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron assured Ukraine today of Europe's continued military assistance to the country facing Russian aggression, at a time when Moscow called for a "complete cessation" of Western support for Kiev, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"We both believe that Ukraine can count on us, that Ukraine can count on Europe and that we will not let it down", said Scholz, standing next to Macron at a press conference in Berlin. "We will continue to assist the Ukrainian army in its resistance to Russian aggression", the French head of state said in turn.
Sholz described as an important first step the US and Russian presidents agreed to cease attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, DPA reported.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed in their phone call today to strive for a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, covering energy facilities and infrastructure, the White House said in a statement.
"My phone call today with Russian President Vladimir Putin was very good and productive", US President Donald Trump said on his social network "Truth Social". He added that the two agreed to an immediate ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors, agreeing to work quickly to achieve a full ceasefire and ultimately end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump reiterated his claim that the war would never have started if he had been president in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Many elements of the Peace Treaty were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers were killed and that both President Putin and President Zelensky would like the war to end. That process is now in full force and effect and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!“, Trump added.
“The next step should be to achieve a full ceasefire for Ukraine as soon as possible. "Of course, it is clear that we both agree on this," Scholz said.
Sholz reiterated the position that decisions should not be taken without the participation of Ukraine.
For his part, Macron also said that the Ukrainians "must be at the table" for negotiations.
"The goal must remain the same, to have a measurable and verifiable ceasefire, fully respecting a solid and lasting peace and accompanying guarantees," Macron said. "It is obvious that it is unacceptable for the Ukrainians not to be at the table," he insisted.
In the context of the new agreement, Macron and Scholz stressed that renewed efforts to achieve peace cannot be successful without the full participation of Ukraine and on the condition that any agreement will reflect the interests and sovereignty of the country.