Macron warns ‘no more US support’ for Ukraine as Zelenskyy urges Europe to step up

Zelenskyy seeks a regular European role in negotiations while Moscow rejects Western peacekeeping forces and warns they would be legitimate targets

(Front row left to right) Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President of France Emmanuel Macron during the family photo at the European Political Community (EPC) summit at the Convention Centre Dublin. Picture date: Thursday November 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/Press Association

French president Emmanuel Macron has said there is “no more US support” for Ukraine, insisting Europe must take responsibility for its own security and continue backing Kyiv as efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war intensify.

Speaking ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Dublin, Mr Macron said European countries accounted for the overwhelming majority of support for Ukraine and would ultimately have to determine their own security arrangements.

“It’s important today what we do with Ukraine and to clearly keep supporting them,” he said.

“I think what’s important is what we do. Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine. Let’s be honest.” 

Mr Macron said the countries represented at the summit accounted for “probably 80% or 90%” of the contribution from the Coalition of the Willing, adding: “There is no more US support.” 

His comments came as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European leaders to secure a regular place at the negotiating table as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue.

Zelenskyy calls for Europe to have regular role in peace talks

Addressing the summit, Mr Zelenskyy confirmed he would meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Dublin following their discussions with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow and recent talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi.

“We will talk with them about the results of these negotiations over the past few days and it is very good that Europeans are now part of these talks, not directly yet, and not yet when the Russians are at the table, but Europeans are already involved, and we need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations,” he said.

“From what I have heard from our delegation, the talks were serious, not empty.” 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Taoiseach Micheál Martin (right) during the European Political Community (EPC) summit at the Convention Centre Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/Press Association

Mr Zelenskyy said the proposed prisoner-of-war exchange was important but warned that European leaders needed to pay close attention to discussions about security guarantees.

He said talks between Washington and Moscow were not simply about Ukraine’s future security but could have implications for the wider relationship between Europe and Russia.

Mr Zelenskyy also accused Russia of having no genuine intention of reaching an agreement to end the fighting, saying Russian negotiators had been given “no permission” to find an agreement to “reduce the horrors of this war”.

He said Moscow continued to use energy infrastructure as a weapon against Ukraine, particularly during the winter months.

“He sees energy as a battlefield and we understand that,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine seeks military support and progress on EU membership

He outlined Ukraine’s immediate military requirements, including more interceptor missiles, ammunition for F-16 fighter jets and equipment to repair damaged energy infrastructure.

Concluding his address, he urged EU leaders to support the opening of the remaining negotiating clusters on Ukraine’s accession to the bloc. Four clusters are already open, with Kyiv seeking progress on the remaining two before the end of the year.

“Russia must feel that terror brings more pressure,” he said, calling for further sanctions targeting Russian weapons production, oil exports and financial institutions.

Putin warns Western troops would be ‘legitimate target’

Russia's president Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, meets with US envoys - Jared Kushner and businessman Steve Witkoff, at the Kremlin in Moscow on November 12, 2026. Picture: Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Mr Putin reiterated Moscow's opposition to Western troops being deployed in Ukraine as part of any post-war peacekeeping arrangement, a key demand from Kyiv in negotiations.

Speaking to the US envoys in Moscow, he warned that any foreign troops deployed in Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate target”, adding that their presence would mean “the continuation of war”.

The contrasting positions underline the challenges facing diplomatic efforts, with Ukraine seeking stronger European involvement and security guarantees while Moscow continues to reject a key element of Kyiv's proposed post-war arrangements.

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