You're reading: Zelensky meets with Macron, Merkel to discuss Russian threats

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on April 16, to secure more support against the looming threat of Russian invasion. Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel “tuned in” online during the second half of the meeting.

Zelensky said that the face-to-face meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris ran “longer than planned” and described his relationship with Macron as “warm, warmer than this weather,” referring to the 10 degree Celsius day in Paris.

The leaders discussed the ceasefire in Donbas, the constant attacks by Russian-sponsored militants and Ukraine’s membership in the European Union and NATO.

“I offered Macron to sign a declaration that supports Ukraine’s EU membership,” Zelensky said. “Several EU countries already signed it. Now Macron is getting acquainted with this document.”

The Ukrainian president added that the leaders are “getting closer” to the next Normandy Four meeting and that the next meeting of the Normandy Format advisers will take place on April 19 to hammer out certain issues in advance. “I want all four of us to talk,” Zelensky said, referring to himself, Macron, Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky stressed the importance of doing something about Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine.

“Since the beginning of January we saw an escalation at the front line,” he said. “I told Macron and later Merkel in detail about it.”

“More than 30 Ukrainian soldiers were killed since the beginning of this year. Those aren’t accidental shootings.  Most of them were killed by snipers, on purpose. There are photos and videos proving it. You can’t watch it without tears and horror. Ukraine passed this evidence to OSCE.”

Zelensky added that he supports U.S. President Joe Biden’s offer to meet with Putin.

Media statements

Before the summit, Zelensky made a number of comments to the media, calling for European leaders to finally embrace Ukraine as a European Union and NATO member for the sake of the country’s security.

“If the EU and Emmanuel Macron genuinely consider us a member of the European family, they should act accordingly,” Zelensky told French newspaper Le Figaro. “It is time to stop talking and start making decisions.”

Zelensky said he appreciated the sanctions imposed on Russia by Macron, Merkel, and the EU. “But there need to be discussions on security issues,” he added.

“European security depends on Ukraine. Our nation has lost a lot of lives. We can’t stay in the EU-NATO waiting room forever… The time has come to become active and invite us to join the EU and NATO.”

“France is a great country. I hope it supports these aspirations. If we belong to the family, we should live together. We can’t just date forever like a boyfriend and girlfriend. We need to legitimize our relationship, have kids, and, speaking allegorically, provide for our common future.”

In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Zelensky again called on NATO to give Ukraine a membership plan, which Kyiv has sought for over a decade.

“We understand that Ukraine needs to meet NATO standards and we’re implementing all necessary reforms,” he said. “But everything shouldn’t just be narrowed down to reforms, especially when it comes to the present situation when reforms are clearly not something that can prevent the expansion of Russian aggression.”

Over the last few weeks, Russia has concentrated a record 89,000 troops around eastern Ukraine and in occupied Crimea. Kyiv and multiple Western countries are concerned about the possible escalation of a war that has already claimed 14,000 lives.

When asked what Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks of him, Zelensky told Le Figaro he has probably subverted the Russian leader’s expectations.

“I don’t think I am what he expected,” Zelensky said. “Because I am about equality in all things… Our territory is occupied, (Russia) supports militants (in Donbas) — this is not a equitable relationship.”