- French President Emmanuel Macron said a neutral venue—“maybe Switzerland… I’d favor Geneva”—should host any Putin–Zelenskyy meeting, not Paris.
- His remarks followed Monday’s Washington meetings with President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders.
- Trump later briefed Vladimir Putin by phone—described as lasting about 40 minutes—according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.
The Big Picture
Macron said Europe will keep working with the United States on “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine and pressed for a neutral site if a Russia–Ukraine leaders’ summit goes ahead, stating in a post on X that a “solid and lasting peace” must safeguard Ukraine’s interests and Europe’s security. The remarks followed Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, meetings at the White House in Washington, D.C. (ET).
What’s New
On Monday, Aug. 18, Trump hosted Zelenskyy and senior European leaders at the White House to discuss potential steps toward ending the war. The U.S. president then spoke by phone with Putin—described as lasting about 40 minutes—to relay outcomes and discuss next steps, according to Ushakov. Macron said any future summit could be followed by trilateral discussions involving the United States and, eventually, a broader multilateral format that includes European states whose security is directly affected.
What They’re Saying
Context
Macron’s push for a neutral venue reflects lessons from recent diplomacy. The last high-profile leaders’ meeting in Paris in 2019 took place under the Normandy Format and did not resolve core disputes. He also referenced Istanbul, where early Russia–Ukraine talks were held in 2022, underscoring the case for a neutral host. Monday’s Washington session brought Zelenskyy together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump’s separate bilateral with Zelenskyy lasted about an hour before the larger multilateral meeting convened.
What’s Next
European capitals and Washington are expected to consult on venue and format. Macron signaled that Switzerland—particularly Geneva—fits the neutrality test, but other European locations remain possible. Any summit would likely aim first for a cease-fire framework, paired with concrete security guarantees for Kyiv and a follow-on process for wider multilateral participation. Timelines remain fluid and depend on consent from both Moscow and Kyiv.
The Bottom Line
Macron is steering Europe toward a neutral stage—potentially Geneva—for any first face-to-face between Putin and Zelenskyy. Whether it happens will hinge on gaps over territory, security guarantees, and enforcement.
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