Leak reveals European leadership mistrust of US in Ukraine negotiations

European leaders fear betrayal of Ukraine and harbour deep suspicions of the US administration's mediation role in intensifying peace talks.

The transcript of a phone call that took place on Monday between heads of government, which was leaked to German weekly Der Spiegel, revealed that serious doubts were shared across countries.

“There is a possibility that the US will betray Ukraine on the issue of territory without clarity regarding security guarantees,” French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly said, according to an English-language transcript of the phone call. He added that there was “a great danger” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia’s demands for territorial concessions, including land it has not conquered in the Donbas region, are one of the most sensitive points in the negotiations. Mr Macron's office has issued a denial, saying he “did not express himself in those terms”.

The transcript of the call is not public, although it is known that several calls took place between European leaders during Mr Zelenskyy's visit to Paris on Monday.

The Elysee said at the time that four calls took place: the first between Mr Macron, Mr Zelenskyy, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They were then joined by leaders from Denmark, Poland, Italy, Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, the EU Council and the EU Commission. Finally, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov joined in. Later, Mr Macron debriefed Mr Trump in a one-on-meeting.

Ukrainian leade negotiator Rustem Umerov, seen here in Miami, debriefed European counterparts in Brussels on Wednesday. Reuters

The calls were part of a European effort to co-ordinate positions on the talks while also showing their support to Kyiv. Europeans had not been included in the elaboration of an initial 28-point peace plan, which they discovered last month in leaked press reports.

They were angered by several points in the plan, including the US intention to use Russian frozen assets located in Europe. The plan has been significantly altered since.

'Playing games'

Der Spiegel says it spoke to two participants that confirmed the content of the call was accurately reported but declined to confirm specific quotes, citing the confidentiality of the meeting.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz allegedly warned Mr Zelenskyy to be “extremely careful in the coming days”.