French President Emmanuel Macron, during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 29/8, declared, "If it doesn't happen by 1/9, the deadline set by President Trump, it means once again, President Putin has taken advantage of President Trump,".

Former US President Donald Trump previously stated he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin one to two weeks to agree to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before considering further action against Moscow. Trump warned of "consequences" if the Russia-Ukraine summit didn't take place.

"The two-week deadline ends on 1/9, and we will remind everyone", Zelenskyy said on 29/8.

Merz (left) and Macron at the joint press conference in Toulon, France, on 29/8. Photo: AFP

Merz (left) and Macron at the joint press conference in Toulon, France, on 29/8. Photo: AFP

Macron expressed hope for a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. However, he added, "If that doesn't happen, we will push for primary and secondary sanctions to pressure Russia to come to the negotiating table".

Chancellor Merz believes President Putin appears unwilling to meet with President Zelenskyy, assessing that the conflict in Ukraine could last "many more months".

The two leaders issued a joint statement on new support for Kyiv, indicating they would provide additional air defense systems to Ukraine.

In addition, Germany and France will conduct a "strategic dialogue" on nuclear deterrence in the face of shared security challenges. France is the only EU member state possessing nuclear weapons.

This move aims to develop "a common strategic culture, more closely linking our security and defense goals and strategies," the two leaders said, adding that nuclear deterrence is a "fundamental" element of NATO security.

When asked to respond to Macron's statement, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called the suggestion that Trump was being exploited by Putin "absurd." According to Miller, the former US president was working to "end the killing, and that's something everyone in the world should celebrate".

A White House official also said Trump was still working with Russia and Ukraine to arrange the summit between the two leaders.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on 29/8 that President Putin didn't rule out a potential meeting with President Zelenskyy, but that the meeting needed thorough preparation to "complete the work that needs to be done at the expert level first".

President Zelenskyy (left) and President Putin. Photo: AFP

President Zelenskyy (left) and President Putin. Photo: AFP

Peskov said efforts to prepare for the Russia-Ukraine summit hadn't been "truly active," adding that Moscow remained "interested and ready to negotiate".

After returning to the White House, Trump intensified his mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He held a summit with President Putin on 15/8 in Alaska and then met with European leaders and President Zelenskyy at the White House on 18/8.

These events raised hopes for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy to discuss ways to end the conflict. Initially, both leaders appeared open to this option. However, subsequent developments suggest the prospect of peace talks remains fragile.

Pham Giang (According to Reuters, AFP, RT)