French President Emmanuel Macron today reacted cautiously to Russia's proposal for direct negotiations with Kiev to end the war in Ukraine, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"This is a first step, but it is not enough", Macron told journalists upon his arrival in Poland on his return from Ukraine, quoted by the newspaper "Monde".
Previously, Kiev and key European allies asked Moscow for an unconditional ceasefire from tomorrow, May 12.
Macron called Russian President Vladimir Putin's counter-proposal "a way not to respond", adding that it seemed like a delaying tactic. "He is looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time".
It is unacceptable for the Ukrainians to negotiate while they are still being bombed, Macron said. "We must stand firm [with the United States] and say that the ceasefire is unconditional, and then we can discuss the rest."
Yesterday, Macron, along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, visited Kiev. Together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, they called for a 30-day ceasefire without preconditions, which is due to begin on Monday.
In response, Putin proposed that direct talks between Moscow and Kiev be resumed in Istanbul next Thursday without preconditions, although he did not directly mention the demand for a ceasefire.
/DI/