BRUSSELS

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said Ukrainians and Europeans "should be around the table" during a potential meeting in Budapest between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at a press conference following a summit of the European Union's Mediterranean countries in Slovenia, Macron called the possible meeting "a very good thing” as “the presidents can meet to discuss their bilateral agenda."

"From the moment they discuss the fate of Ukraine, the Ukrainians should be around the table. From the moment they should be discussing what impacts the security of Europeans, Europeans should be around the table. That's all I can say," Macron stressed.

Macron also reiterated France's support for Ukraine, highlighting the country's resilience amid the ongoing war.

"Ukraine continues to resist with great bravery by continuing to innovate and produce. And we'll have a coalition of the willing on Friday, which will be partly physical, partly virtual, but which will bring us together for a few of us in London, and (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky will be there. So we continue to move forward," he said.

He underlined that any peace concerning Ukraine must be "robust and lasting," in line with international law and ensuring long-term stability. "No other (peace) exists. And Europeans have always been clear on this," he added.

Trump last week urged Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Russia, saying both sides should halt fighting along current front lines. Zelenskyy later reiterated that Ukraine would not accept any concessions to Moscow.

In a phone call last Thursday, Putin and Trump discussed the possibility of holding another face-to-face meeting and agreed that representatives from both sides will immediately begin preparing for a summit, with Budapest as a potential venue, according to a Putin aide.