Putin is the “only obstacle” to peace in Ukraine
Jean-Noël Barrot believes that Vladimir Putin is the “only obstacle” to peace in Ukraine, the day after the signing between Washington and kyiv of a mineral agreement. “It must be recognized, I believe that now it is clear as rock water that the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine today is Vladimir Putin,” he said, stressing that Ukraine had “held its share of the market”.
Ukraine “accepted an unconditional ceasefire and yesterday it agreed to conclude an agreement on critical minerals with the United States which, according to the declarations of Ukrainian officials, corresponds, I would say, the expectations which were those of Ukraine to engage with the United States, but also other countries of economic cooperation,” said Jean-Noël Barrot. “And, during this time, Russia of Vladimir Putin had no effort, has given no sign that it is ready for ceasefire and peace to which President Donald Trump aspires, and to which Europeans aspire and of course the Ukrainians,” he said.
The head of French diplomacy has not dismissed the possibility that France, which according to him has an “expertise” in terms of rare land, could conclude an economic agreement with Ukraine.
Europeans are preparing new sanctions against Russia
The minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs said that Europeans were preparing a new series of sanctions against Russia, which they wish to coordinate with the United States, in the event of Moscow continuous refusal of any ceasefire in Ukraine.
“We are going to be Europeans to support this American initiative with a 17th package of sanctions and I got involved yesterday (Wednesday) with Lindsey Graham to what we tried to coordinate, both on the substance but also on the calendar, these two packets of sanctions,” said the minister in reference to the Republican senator who proposed, this week, to harden American sanctions against Moscow.
A “filter” discussion with Rubio, acting the “convergence” of the objectives
The head of French diplomacy praised a “filter” discussion with his American counterpart Marco Rubio, speaking of a “convergence of objectives” despite tensions. “We had an exchange without filter which allowed us to coordinate closely, but also to act the convergence of our objectives on regional and international crises, since we want to act in concert,” he said after meeting the American Secretary of State this Thursday, May 1, in the morning.
No meeting, this Friday, between Iranians and Europeans
Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that there will be no meeting this Friday, May 2, between Iranians and Europeans on Iranian nuclear, as Téhéran had suggested earlier this week. “There was a technical meeting of planned prior to (…) a high level meeting between the United States and Iran. This meeting not being sticking, the technical meeting had no relevance, in any case, to this deadline, “he said, referring to the postponement of a meeting between Americans and Iranians, last Saturday, in Rome, who were to meet in the Italian capital for a fourth series of talks, after the two parties reported progress during the previous cycles.
Asked to find out if the Europeans were in fact excluded from the negotiations, the minister replied that they were “very closely coordinated on the negotiation calendar since, in a few weeks, if we do not agree with Iran on a return back marked, verifiable and robust of the nuclear program, then we, Europeans, will reapplicate the sanctions that we had lifted 10 years ago.
“And of course, I will not hesitate for a second as soon as no agreement” has been found, he said.
