French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm between the US President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following their verbal altercation at the White House, which raised concerns about the potential withdrawal of US support for Ukraine and a rift in relations with European allies.In a press statement, Macron said everyone should ‘return to calm, respect… so we can move forward… because what is at stake is too important’.He explained that he does not rule out speaking again with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only at the opportune moment.He warned that if Putin is not stopped, he will certainly go to Moldova and perhaps further to Romania.Macron said any US ‘disengagement’ in Ukraine was not in its interests, as forcing Kyiv to sign a ceasefire without security guarantees would see its capacity to deter Russia, China and others evaporate the same day.The Elysée Palace mentioned that Macron spoke with the Ukrainian and American presidents. He also spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as European Council President Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.These phone calls are intended to prepare for a summit that will bring together around fifteen leaders later on Sunday in London to reaffirm support for Kyiv, as well as an extraordinary European Union summit on March 6 regarding defense.
