French MEP criticises Macron’s role as mediator amid Trump-Zelenskyy scandal

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France Thierry Mariani has sharply criticised President Emmanuel Macron's role as a mediator in the Ukrainian conflict, following the scandalous fallout from the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mariani argues that the incident has undermined Macron’s credibility and cast doubt on his ability to effectively navigate diplomatic efforts in the region, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“The consequences for France will be direct and unpleasant. Macron finds himself in a delicate position, having taken a risky stance as a mediator, undoubtedly hoping to preserve French influence in the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. However, the events that transpired have discredited him, creating the impression that he is unable to serve as a reliable and serious mediator,” the MEP said.

Mariani also expressed concerns over France’s ambition to take the lead in European support for Ukraine, warning that the country faces significant risks if the US ceases its involvement in the region.

“Macron’s calls for support will likely turn out to be empty if the US stops intervening. Paris will either have to increase its contribution—both financially and politically costly—or accept a secondary role,” the MEP added.

The French politician also pointed out that the European Union, particularly the European Parliament, is unlikely to change its stance in the near future due to a lack of strategic foresight.

He criticised the EU’s failure to propose a new approach in light of the situation created by Trump’s actions. 

“The parliament has neither the leverage nor the courage to propose a new approach to the situation that Trump has created. It will be content with posturing, while real decisions will be made elsewhere—in Washington, Moscow, or to a lesser extent in Berlin, where the German employers’ association is already calling for a revision of Germany’s stance towards Russia, primarily for obvious energy-related reasons,” Mariani stated.

In Mariani’s view, the meeting, which he called disastrous for Zelenskyy, highlighted Ukraine’s growing isolation. 

“The US is playing its own game and dominating the debates, Russia is waiting for proposals, and Europe, led by France, is paying the price for blindly following the Atlanticist policy. For us, the French, it is time to reconsider our priorities and stop following Washington into adventures that serve neither our interests nor peace,” Mariani concluded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on February 28 ended in disappointment, as the two leaders failed to reach an agreement on military aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy arrived knowing that US shipments of weapons to Ukraine had largely stopped, with the Pentagon last announcing a new weapons package 50 days earlier. 

By the time he left, the situation appeared even more precarious, as the Trump administration indicated that all US aid to Ukraine, including final shipments of ammunition and equipment, could soon be canceled. A Trump administration official noted that the final shipments of arms, authorized and paid for under the Biden administration, may be halted imminently. Despite over $33 billion in US military aid already sent to Ukraine, including artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, and armored vehicles, no new packages have been announced since January. 

The remaining aid, valued at $3.85 billion, could be the last from the US under the Biden-era provisions, with future arms supplies now uncertain. During the meeting, Trump had been expected to sign an agreement giving the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources, alongside vague security guarantees. However, Zelenskyy left without a deal as Russia and North Korea continue their attacks along Ukraine’s front lines. Despite this, Ukraine’s continued reliance on US aid, which began shortly after Russia’s invasion in 2022, remains critical.

By Naila Huseynova