• Macron says Putin would have 'played' Trump if no meeting with Zelensky occurs by deadline.
• Future sanctions on Russia may arise if Putin does not engage in talks.
• Germany's Merz indicates the conflict could last several more months.
• Zelensky prepares for potential new actions against Russia if a meeting is not set.
• Trump's administration continues pushing for a resolution to the ongoing war.

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that if he fails to commit to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, it would indicate that "once again President Putin played President Trump," according to Channel News Asia and Reuters. Macron expressed hope that this long-anticipated meeting would occur, yet cautioned about the repercussions if it does not, stating that France and its allies are prepared to push for primary and secondary sanctions against Russia.

Both Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored the serious nature of the situation, noting that the conflict in Ukraine might persist for "many more months." Merz remarked that the "no readiness" shown by Putin to agree to a meeting with Zelensky fits within a broader strategy of Russian leadership, as reported by The Hill.

Macron reiterated that the lack of a meeting would lead to increased pressure on the Kremlin, stating, "This cannot stay without response," referring to potential sanctions if diplomatic avenues fail. This sentiment echoed through previous statements made by Trump and Zelensky, who have both highlighted the urgency of establishing talks between the two leaders. Zelensky reminded the public of Trump’s three-week ultimatum for Putin to agree to a meeting, warning of possible consequences if it is ignored, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The ongoing tensions have led several European leaders to call for global pressure to ensure genuine peace talks could occur. Ukrainian officials have been candid about the ongoing bombardment and the lack of activity from Russia towards negotiating a resolution, a concern emphasized by The Hill.