During a recent visit to London, French President Emmanuel Macron put forward a proposal for a partial one-month ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. According to his plan, the truce would specifically focus on refraining from attacks on air, sea, and energy infrastructure, while allowing other types of military activities to continue.
Macron acknowledged the challenges inherent in such an arrangement. He pointed out that verifying compliance along an extensive front—comparable in length to the distance between Paris and Budapest—would be a daunting task. The idea, he explained, is to use this temporary pause as a window for negotiations aimed at achieving a more comprehensive peace.
While en route to a high-level meeting with European leaders, convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron emphasized that any deployment of European ground troops would occur only after a peace agreement is formally signed. He was clear in stating that no European troops would be stationed on Ukrainian soil in the immediate future; instead, the current focus should be on creating the conditions for dialogue and a sustainable truce.
In a recent discussion in London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that he is fully aware of the proposal, signaling his engagement with the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Beyond the ceasefire initiative, Macron underlined the importance of bolstering defense capabilities across Europe. He suggested that countries might need to consider raising their defense budgets to around 3% to 3.5% of their gross domestic product. Additionally, he called for the European Commission to explore innovative financing strategies to support this increased spending.
This approach reflects a careful balancing act: seeking to protect vital infrastructure and create breathing space for peace talks, while also preparing for the long-term security needs of the regio
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