Cameras capture Zelensky and Macron discussing strategy on Trump at G7
At the G7 summit, French President Macron and Ukrainian President Zelensky were recorded discussing how to approach US President Donald Trump, with Macron offering to arrange a bilateral meeting.
A camera microphone picked up a fragment of a conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in France, according to Politico. The exchange revealed the two leaders discussing how to coordinate with US President Donald Trump.
Macron, hosting the summit, asked Zelensky if he had already arranged a bilateral meeting with Trump. The Ukrainian president's answer was inaudible, but Macron stated he would organize the meeting. He also urged Zelensky to stay longer in France. Trump is set to remain until Wednesday evening to attend a celebratory dinner at Versailles at Macron's invitation.
Zelensky replied that he needed to go to Brussels on the 18th for a European Council meeting on Ukraine's EU accession. The leaders also discussed the G7 session, which was to include both the US and Ukrainian presidents.
While the conversation revealed no secrets, it is another example of European leaders carefully coordinating their contacts with Trump, especially on Ukraine. After Trump left the G7 early last year due to tensions between Iran and Israel, Macron has faced pressure to keep the US president engaged so he does not leave prematurely again. To that end, Macron invited Trump to dinner at the Palace of Versailles to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Earlier, Trump confirmed he had met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 and would meet again later Tuesday. Zelensky said they discussed obtaining a license to produce anti-ballistic systems and missiles. According to the Kyiv Independent, a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Macron also took place Tuesday.
