LONDON, United Kingdom – France and Britain are advocating for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, focusing specifically on aerial, naval, and energy infrastructure attacks, following high-level diplomatic discussions in London. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed the proposal on Sunday in an interview with Le Figaro, emphasizing that the truce would not immediately apply to ground combat.
The primary challenge, Macron acknowledged, lies in ensuring compliance along Ukraine’s expansive and volatile front lines. While peacekeeping forces may eventually be deployed, he dismissed any immediate European military presence on Ukrainian soil. “There won’t be European troops in Ukraine in the coming weeks,” he stated.
Beyond the ceasefire initiative, Macron called for a significant increase in European defense spending, urging nations to allocate between 3% and 3.5% of their GDP to military preparedness. His concerns stem from Russia’s reported defense expenditure, which he estimates at 10% of GDP, and shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities. “We must prepare for what comes next,” he warned.
In a separate interview with Italy’s Il Foglio, Macron underscored the importance of Italian cooperation in resolving the conflict. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni distanced her government from any potential peacekeeping deployment, stating that such involvement was “never on the agenda.”
Despite differing positions on military engagement, Macron stressed the necessity of European unity. “We need a strong Italy working alongside France and Germany,” he affirmed, reinforcing the role of European collaboration in shaping the region’s security strategy.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the feasibility and enforcement of the proposed truce remain uncertain, with Ukraine’s battlefield dynamics and Russia’s strategic response yet to be seen.
