Russia-Ukraine truce may be close: Macron
France's president optimistic after his meeting with Trump in Washington
A truce between Ukraine and Russia could be only weeks away, France's President Emmanuel Macron said during a television interview following his White House meeting with United States President Donald Trump on Monday.
Macron told Fox News talks on security, territory, and rebuilding Ukraine could begin during the truce, but stressed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky must be at the negotiating table.
"First, to have a truce. I think it could be achieved in the weeks ahead," he said. "During this period, we would negotiate security guarantees, land and territories, and Ukrainian President Zelensky would oversee reconstruction efforts. The US would establish agreements on critical minerals, rare earths, and related resources.
"So, we must negotiate with the US, our allies, and Ukraine to determine appropriate security guarantees. A primary step could be enhancing Ukraine's capability to maintain a robust military force.
"We desire peace, and I believe President Trump's initiative is very constructive."
In his interview, Macron disclosed that France and the United Kingdom are developing a joint proposal for deploying troops in non-combat roles, to help preserve stability.
During an earlier joint news conference with his US counterpart in the White House's East Room, Macron emphasized the need for a "lasting, solid peace" in Ukraine.
"This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine," Macron told reporters. "It must not mean a ceasefire without guarantees. This peace must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty and allow Ukraine to negotiate with other stakeholders regarding the issues that affect it. But it is also a country in which we need to shoulder our responsibility, so that we ensure security and stability for Ukraine and for the entire region. And for us Europeans this is an existential issue."
During their discussions, Macron cautioned Trump about any potential "surrender" of Ukraine, even as the US president suggested Russia's President Vladimir Putin was ready to negotiate. Trump said Putin "wants to make a deal" that could include European peacekeepers.
The French president's White House visit came just hours after the US voted against a United Nations resolution put forward by Ukraine and the European Union.
The UN Security Council passed a US-proposed resolution adopting a more conciliatory approach toward Russia. The 15-member council had previously been at an impasse due to Russia's veto power.
Several European nations, including France, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia and the UK, chose to abstain. Russia backed the resolution after vetoing earlier European attempts to include language supporting Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to meet the US president on Thursday in Washington, as European concerns mount over Trump's increasingly tough position on Ukraine and his diplomatic gestures toward Moscow regarding the three-year conflict.
jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com
