French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly warned European leaders that “there is a possibility the United States might betray Ukraine regarding its territory, with no clarity on security guarantees,” Germany’s Der Spiegel has reported, citing a leaked note from a recent phone call among European heads of state.
Der Spiegel said it had obtained an English-language memo summarizing the call, presenting what it claims are direct quotes from several participants, according to The Guardian.
The magazine alleges that Macron described the current moment in negotiations as “a major risk” for President Zelensky, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly said during the call that the Ukrainian leader needed to be “very careful.”
“They are playing games with both you and us,” Merz is quoted as saying a remark the magazine interprets as a reference to Steve Witkoff’s mission in Moscow.
Other leaders also voiced their concerns, the report says. Finnish President Alexander Stubb allegedly stated that “we must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte who publicly speaks very positively of Donald Trump is also reported to have said he agreed with Stubb “that we need to protect Volodymyr.”
The Guardian has not been able to independently verify the report.
However, Der Spiegel claims it spoke with “several” participants in the call who confirmed that the conversation took place, and two of them reportedly confirmed that the quotes were “accurately reproduced.”
A spokesperson for Zelensky declined to comment, as did Merz’s office. The Élysée Palace disputed the quotes attributed to Macron.
