French President held discussions with US President and Ukrainian President and stressed the importance of a strong and lasting peace
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for a robust and long-lasting peace during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. He emphasized that in order for Russia to stop its actions, “strong and credible” security assurances for Ukraine must also be provided.
Macron shared a message on X that said, “I just spoke with President @realDonaldTrump and then with President @ZelenskyyUa after bringing together several European leaders.” We want Ukraine to have a solid and long-lasting peace. In order to do this, Russia must stop its actions and provide the Ukrainian people with solid and reliable security assurances. If not, this ceasefire runs the danger of becoming similar to the Minsk accords.
“We will work on this together with all Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians,” the message said. The secret is this. We firmly believe that Europeans must make better, larger, and more coordinated investments in their defense and security, both now and in the future.
Following his talks with European leaders over Ukraine’s security situation, Zelenskyy also discussed specifics of his chat with French President Macron. Zelenskyy reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Ukraine has strong and dependable security assurances, highlighting the fact that any deal that does not include these guarantees—such as a tenuous ceasefire—would simply allow Russia to continue its deceit and run the danger of rekindling hostilities.
On X, Zelenskyy said, “I just had a long conversation with President of France @EmmanuelMacron following his meeting today with other European leaders to discuss the global situation, the state of affairs in Europe, and security guarantees for Ukraine.”
“We have a shared vision: security guarantees need to be strong and dependable,” he said. Without these assurances, any alternative choice—like a tenuous ceasefire—would merely be another ruse by Russia and a precursor to a new conflict with Ukraine or other European countries. Emmanuel also gave me an update on his discussions with leaders outside of Europe. We decided to communicate often when important choices are being made. A strong and long-lasting peace must be ensured. And only with robust security assurances can it be accomplished.”
According to Euro News, European leaders on Monday reiterated their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, but they made no fresh security pledges that may change the situation, particularly as Donald Trump presses for talks with Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the end of an emergency session in Paris that if a long-term peace deal is struck, he is prepared to deploy British military on the ground with other countries.
He did, however, stress that in order to successfully prevent more Russian action against Ukraine, a US security guarantee is necessary.
“If there is a long-term peace deal, I’m willing to think about sending British troops on the ground with others. At the conclusion of an emergency session in Paris, Starmer said, “But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”
“Instead of desperately clinging to the conveniences of the past, we must acknowledge the new century we are in. It’s time for us to assume responsibility for our continent’s security,” he said.
