France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is set to hold a conference call Friday evening with several European counterparts to discuss the rapidly shifting situation in Ukraine, according to a French diplomatic source.
The discussion—held under the so-called “Washington Format”—will include the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland and Italy, as well as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The format refers to a high-level meeting earlier this year in Washington, where leaders from these countries coordinated diplomatic approaches to the Ukraine conflict.
Renewed Pressure Following Trump’s Ultimatum
The call comes at a tense moment after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly gave Ukraine a one-week deadline to accept an American peace plan.
The proposal reportedly supports key Russian demands, including:
- Abandoning Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership
- Recognizing territories currently occupied and controlled by Russia
These provisions have sparked concern among European governments, many of which fear the plan could undermine long-term European security and set a dangerous precedent for territorial aggression.
Putin Signals Approval — and Threatens Further Escalation
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the American proposal on Friday, describing it as a potential foundation for a final peace agreement. However, he warned that if Kyiv rejects it, Russian forces will “advance even further.”
Such rhetoric has raised alarm in European capitals, where diplomats privately argue that Moscow is attempting to use Washington’s proposal to legitimize its territorial claims.
European Diplomacy Intensifies
Tonight’s call is expected to focus on finding a unified EU response to the U.S. plan, preventing strategic fractures within the Western alliance, and assessing possible consequences if Ukraine refuses to accept the terms.
Several European countries have already expressed unease with Trump’s approach, warning that pressuring Ukraine into concessions under threat could destabilize the entire region and reward Russian aggression.
