Ruslan Bortnyk, director of the Ukrainian Institute of Analysis and Policy Management, said that on Wednesday, December 15, Ukrainian and French presidents Vladimir Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron will discuss the situation in Donbass
“The Normandy quartet (Ukraine, Russia, France, Germany) and a peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbass will be discussed. Macron earlier held a dialogue with the US president and is planning to visit Russia soon to hold talks with Putin. Macron has an election and will try to participate and intercept the agenda for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, which may add some electoral points to him within the French political system”, – Bortnik said.
The expert believes that after the talks with Zelensky, Macron will hand over to the Russian side some Ukrainian proposals on settling the situation in Donbas at a meeting with Putin.
“Or ideally, although this is unlikely, a joint French-Ukrainian position. While Turkey is offering itself publicly, France will try to play the role of a mediator in the Donbass settlement”, – Bortnik said.
During the meeting, Zelensky and Macron may set a date for a summit in the Normandy format for its further agreement by Russia and Germany, the expert believes.