French, Ukrainian presidents agree to meet after Alaska summit

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to meet after Friday's Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Elysee Palace said.

"President Macron and President Zelenskyy have agreed to meet at a convenient time, after Alaska," the French presidential office told broadcaster BFM TV.

No specific date or location of the meeting was announced.

The sources quoted said Macron maintained close contact with Zelenskyy up until the final hours, underlining that their dialogue is "continuous and close."

This week, Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, who hosted a virtual meeting of European leaders also joined by Trump ahead of the critical talks on Ukraine. He later met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.

Zelesnkyy, not invited to the Alaska meeting, has warned against making any decisions without Ukraine. He also ruled out ceding territory for a peace deal. Trump, however, suggested that land swaps could be beneficial for both sides and end the conflict ongoing since February 2022.