French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine. He claimed the UK and France had jointly proposed a one-month truce. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately rejected the idea. He argued that a ceasefire without security guarantees would be a failure.

Ceasefire Details and Macron’s Plan

Macron’s proposal aimed to halt air and sea battles and attacks on energy infrastructure. However, it would not stop ground fighting. He stated that European peacekeepers would only enter Ukraine in a later phase. He clarified, “There will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks.”

Macron insisted that a truce could pave the way for long-term peace. He said, “The question is how we use this time to try to obtain a truce… then, once peace is signed, a (troop) deployment.”

Zelenskyy Stands Firm

Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal, calling it unrealistic. He warned that without an end to the war, a ceasefire would be impossible to enforce. “If you don’t have an end to the war and security guarantees, no one is able to control a ceasefire,” he told the Financial Times.

He also stressed the need for more discussions. “We need a clear vision of security guarantees to prevent future conflicts,” he added.

UK Backs Away from Macron’s Statement

Although Macron portrayed the ceasefire as a joint effort, the UK denied supporting it. A British official clarified, “This is not a UK plan.” Another source stated that discussions were ongoing, but a one-month truce was never agreed upon.

Concerns Over Russian Advantage

UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard warned that a temporary ceasefire would benefit Russia. “Any pause would allow Russia to regroup, rearm, and return stronger,” he told Sky News.

Final Thoughts

While Europe is increasing peace efforts, leaders remain divided on the best approach. Macron pushes for negotiations, but Zelenskyy demands stronger security guarantees. Meanwhile, the UK is focused on preventing Russia from taking advantage of any truce.