Macron warns Russia of Consequences as Zelenskyy Intensifies Arms Requests to Trump
KYIV, Ukraine - french president Emmanuel Macron declared Sunday that Russia will “have to pay the price” if it continues its current course in Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a second conversation in two days with former U.S. President donald Trump regarding potential military aid. The discussions come amid growing concern in Moscow over the possibility of the united States supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Zelenskyy described his latest exchange with Trump,held Sunday,as “very productive” in a Telegram post,stating the two leaders discussed “protection of life” in Ukraine and “strengthening [their] air defense,[their] resilience and [their] scope.” He also revealed that he had again raised the issue of bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses with Trump.
On Friday, zelenskyy confirmed ongoing talks with U.S. officials about the potential delivery of long-range precision weapons, including Tomahawk missiles and additional ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.Following his Saturday conversation with Trump, Zelenskyy reiterated he had discussed ”possibilities for strengthening the air defense of Ukraine.”
Trump indicated earlier in the week he had “sort of made a decision” regarding the potential supply of Tomahawks, but offered no specifics. A high-level Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to visit the United States this week.
The prospect of Tomahawk missiles reaching Ukraine has drawn a sharp reaction from the Kremlin. Spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated Sunday that the issue was “extremely worrying,” adding,”We are currently experiencing a truly dramatic period as tensions are intensifying on all sides.”
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged caution regarding Trump’s statements, suggesting his approach is often characterized by shifts in strategy. “Sometimes he takes a more muscular approach, then his tactic is to take the pressure off a little and take a step back. We must thus not take it literally, as if it was going to fly tomorrow,” Lukashenko said.
Zelenskyy interpreted Russia’s anxiety over potential Tomahawk deliveries as a positive sign. “We see and hear that Russia is afraid that the Americans coudl supply us with Tomahawks, this is a signal that this type of pressure could work for peace,” he stated. He added that their respective teams, including military personnel, would follow up on the discussions with Trump.
