Macron and Starmer Propose Ceasefire Initiative Amid Renewed Talks on Ukraine's Future
In a significant development for Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a proposed ceasefire that would aim to halt hostilities in the air, at sea, and against energy infrastructures for a duration of one month. This announcement came during an interview with Le Figaro, following a pivotal summit held in London with approximately fifteen European and international leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Macron elaborated on the initiative, confirming that the deployment of international troops to maintain peace in Ukraine would be considered in a subsequent phase of the plan. He stated unequivocally that there would be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the immediate future. "The question is how to utilize this time to negotiate an accessible ceasefire, which could last several weeks, and once peace is finalized, there will be room for troop deployment," he expressed.
In a statement on social media shortly after the summit, Macron emphasized the unified commitment of all participating nations to pursue lasting peace in Ukraine and reinforced the importance of collective security. He stated, "Around the table in London, we are all committed to acting for solid and lasting peace in Ukraine and ensuring our collective security."
The informal gathering at Lancaster House served as a critical platform for outlining strategies aimed at ensuring Ukrainian security in the event of a peace agreement with Russia. Starmer indicated that this collaborative plan, primarily designed by London and Paris, may include additional countries and form a coalition of volunteers to support the initiative, which will ultimately be communicated to Washington.
Moreover, the summit concluded with agreements to enhance military assistance to Ukraine and impose increased economic sanctions against Russia, while also focusing on improving Ukraine's defensive capabilities to deter future aggressive acts.
These developments intersect with broader discussions regarding European defense architecture and investment in security measures, which are set to be major topics in the upcoming Extraordinary European Council scheduled for March 6.
In addition to the peace initiative, Starmer announced financial aid for Ukraine, facilitating the purchase of over 5,000 air defense missiles, further underscoring the international community's intention to bolster Ukraine’s defense amidst ongoing hostilities. This multi-pronged approach—combining financial support, military aid, and diplomatic efforts—marks a concerted effort by European leaders to navigate the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and lay the foundation for potential peace.
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