French, US presidents hold “frank conversation” before European meeting on Ukraine security

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump engaged in a “frank conversation” by phone just minutes before Macron hosted an informal European summit in Paris to discuss the escalating security concerns surrounding the war in Ukraine.

According to the French president's office, the conversation lasted for approximately 20 minutes, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The call came at a time of heightened concern among European leaders about the implications of Trump’s second term and his plans to meet directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss potential steps toward ending the war in Ukraine. European powers are expressing unease, fearing they may be sidelined in vital negotiations regarding the conflict, despite their significant stake in its resolution.

The meeting in Paris brought together key European figures, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Leader Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. They were joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

In the lead-up to the summit, Tusk urged European nations to drastically increase defence spending, emphasizing the growing security challenges on the continent amid concerns that the US may scale back its military commitments in Europe.

By Vafa Guliyeva