French President Emmanuel Macron said his country and Britain had proposed a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine that would not include ground operations, acknowledging that such a ceasefire would be difficult to verify.
President Macron (right) met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (center) and President Zelensky in London on March 2.
AFP news agency reported on March 3 that Britain and France proposed a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine "in the air, at sea and for energy infrastructure", after a "disastrous" meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his US counterpart Donald Trump.
In an interview with Le Figaro , French President Emmanuel Macron said such a ceasefire, at least initially, would not include ground fighting.
The problem here, he said, was that it was difficult to check whether this order was being followed, given the scale of the fighting on the front lines.
What do European leaders say about the 'war of words' between Trump and Zelensky?
The French president said peacekeepers would be deployed later, adding that “there will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks”.
In addition, he proposed that European countries increase defense spending to 3 to 3.5 percent of GDP to respond to changing US priorities and Russia's military activities.
“Over the past three years, the Russians have spent 10 percent of their GDP on defense. So we have to prepare for what's coming,” he noted.
Europe seeks solutions
European leaders were united in their support for Kyiv at a summit in London on March 2, where they pledged to spend more on security and form a coalition to protect any ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
The conference, attended by 18 countries, took place two days after the failed talks between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain, France “and others” would work with Ukraine to draw up a plan to end the fighting, which would then be sent to Washington. He said Europe found itself “at a crossroads of history”.
"This is no longer a time for talk - it is a time for action. It is a time to stand up, lead and unite around a new plan for a just and lasting peace," he said, adding that several countries were ready to help secure the ceasefire in Ukraine, but did not name them.
Why does Trump want Ukraine's minerals?
For her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she regretted what happened to Mr Zelensky in Washington. In addition, she said that Europe must continue to focus on common goals and that "dividing the West would be disastrous for everyone."
European leaders at a summit in London on March 2 said they were ready to increase defense spending, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, adding that they wanted the EU-US relationship to be as strong as possible.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen appeared at the meeting and said she would present a plan to “re-arm Europe” to strengthen the bloc’s security after a long period of underinvestment.
As for the future of war-torn Ukraine, she said the country needed security guarantees. "We have to put Ukraine in a position of strength so that it has the means to strengthen itself and protect itself. This essentially makes Ukraine an unpalatable steel porcupine for potential aggressors," Ursula von der Leyen said.
At a dialogue between European leaders in London on March 2, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to dismiss the prospect of her country contributing to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it was "never on the agenda."
And Mr. Macron said: "We need Italy, a strong Italy, working closely with France, with Germany, in harmony with great nations."
Ukraine still ready to sign mineral deal with US
In another development, President Zelensky said the country is ready to sign a mineral agreement with the United States.
"The deal on the table will be signed if the parties are ready," he said at a late press conference with some British media, after the landmark summit in London on March 2.
According to the leader, Ukraine's policy is to continue what happened in the past and Kyiv has a constructive spirit.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/anh-phap-de-xuat-ngung-ban-mot-thang-o-ukraine-khong-bao-gom-tren-bo-185250303065535082.htm
Comment (0)