Macron and Trump Hint at Possible Truce in Ukraine, Urge for Strategic Peacekeepers
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed optimism on February 24 regarding the possibility of a truce between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting it may come to fruition in the coming weeks. However, he strongly emphasized that any notion of peace must not equate to Ukraine's surrender. Macron shared these insights during an interview with Fox News, following his meeting with former President Donald Trump at the White House, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In the Oval Office, Trump asserted that the conflict could potentially come to an end soon, stating, "I think we could end it within weeks if we're smart. If we're not smart, it will keep going." Both leaders acknowledged that progress has been made towards the deployment of peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, with Macron underscoring the necessity for the United States to collaborate with European nations in securing guarantees—an essential demand for Ukraine in peace negotiations.
Furthermore, Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears open to the idea of having European troops in Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. "I have specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it," Trump remarked in response to inquiries about Putin's stance on foreign troops.
Macron clarified that any European forces dispatched to Ukraine would serve solely as peacekeepers and would not engage directly in the conflict. Highlighting the path forward, Macron urged collaboration with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is expected to visit the White House on February 27, to discuss proposals for sending peacekeeping troops, should an agreement be reached.
Reflecting on the toll of war, Macron noted its significant financial burden and reiterated that Russia bears the primary responsibility for the ongoing aggression. His comments stood in contrast to Trump's earlier assertion that Ukraine had instigated the conflict.
Looking ahead, Trump anticipated a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in the next two weeks to finalize a deal to grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare mineral resources. When questioned about Putin's leadership style, Trump refrained from labeling him a dictator, despite previously using the term to describe Zelenskyy.
In a call for genuine and lasting peace, Zelenskyy reiterated his willingness to consider stepping down in exchange for assurances that Ukraine could join NATO. On the same day, Putin signaled a change in approach by suggesting that European countries should have a seat at the negotiation table to resolve the conflict. He also highlighted ongoing communications between U.S. and Russian companies regarding potential collaborative economic projects in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Trump indicated that his team maintains constant dialogue with Russian officials, encompassing discussions on prospective U.S.-Russian business ventures. This represents a significant shift from previous foreign policy, as Trump stated, "My administration is making a decisive break with the foreign policy values of the past administration"—an apparent critique of the Biden administration's strategy which focused on isolating Russia through sanctions and disengagement following the invasion of Ukraine.
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