‘Crossroads in history’: France, UK propose one month truce between Ukraine, Russia
Emmanuel Macron says the proposed truce between the two countries would cover ‘air, sea and energy infrastructure’ but not ground fighting.
France and Britain are proposing a one-month truce in Ukraine “in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure” after crisis talks in London with European leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron told Le Figaro newspaper such a truce would not, initially at least, cover ground fighting.
The problem there was it would be very difficult to check that it was being respected given the size of the front line, he said.
Peacekeepers would be deployed at a later date, he said, adding: “There won’t be European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks.”
Mr Macron also suggested that European countries should raise their defence spending to between 3.0 and 3.5 percent of GDP to respond to Washington’s shifting priorities and Russia’s militarisation.
“For three years, the Russians have spent 10 percent of their GDP on defence,” he told the paper. “So we have to prepare for what’s next.”
In a separate interview with Milan’s Il Foglio newspaper, Mr Macron also said that Europe needed a “strong” Italy to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
At Sunday’s crisis talks Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to dismiss the prospect of her country contributing to any peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it was “never on the agenda”.
“We need Italy, a strong Italy which works side-by-side with France, with Germany, in the concert of great nations,” Mr Macron said.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to comment on the month long truce plan, saying only: “I’m aware of everything” in an interview on CBS when he was asked if he knew about the plan.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a “coalition of the willing” to help defend Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia, as he outlined a four step plan under which the UK, France and other countries will work with Ukraine to stop the fighting.
Speaking at a press conference after the talks with 18 leaders including from Canada and Turkey, the British Prime Minister said the world was at “a crossroads in history,” declaring that Ukraine will be able to access £1.6 billion (AUD$3bn) in UK export finance to purchase over 5,000 air defence missiles.
The meeting, which included NATO and European Union chiefs, was called to rally European countries to present a unified pro-Ukraine front in the wake of the extraordinary White House row on Friday between Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The nervous leaders were looking to find ways to fill any void that may be created if the United States steps back from its long standing relationship with Europe.
Announcing the “coalition of the willing,” Sir Keir suggested non-NATO, non-European allies could be involved as he addressed why Five Eyes intelligence partner, Canada, was attending the Lancaster House crisis summit.
Sir Keir said Canada was a traditional ally, forward leaning and had been involved in issues of training Ukrainian soldiers, and added “so, yes” in response to a question if they may also be involved in future protection of Ukraine.
Australia has also been intimately involved in training of more than 2000 Ukraine soldiers since the beginning of 2023 under Operation Kudu. Last year the program expanded to include a junior leader training program. As well the Royal Australian Air Force deployed a E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and around 100 crew to Germany for six months to provide early warning of potential Russian threats.
However it is unclear if Downing Street has yet approached Australia to assess Canberra’s interest in joining the coalition, which will be the United Kingdom and France.
Sir Keir said “a number of other countries” were preparing to join the coalition, but he said it was up to them to announce their involvement.
He said talks would now intensify to create a broader plan for security guarantees which include British troops on the ground and fighter jets in the air.
Sir Keir said Europe must “do the heavy lifting” under any new peace plan but would need US backing. He also stressed Ukraine must be included in any future peace talks.
He said had spoken to Mr Trump about having strong US backing on the European continent, adding: “We are working with the US on this point”.
President Trump has been hostile to having US troops on the ground and has insisted Europe has to step up to defend its own borders.
Sir Keir added: “If a deal is done, it has to be a deal that is then defended, because what we have seen in the past is a cessation of the hostilities without any backup, and that was readily breached by Russia, and that is precisely the situation that I think we need to avoid this time around, which is why we’re going down this road.”
While Sir Keir was outlining four points of agreement from the meeting, Mr Zelensky, bruised from Friday’s bitter war of words in the White House, arrived to meet King Charles at his rural retreat at Sandringham in Norfolk.
Pictures show the King shaking hands with Mr Zelensky at the front door of Sandringham House, with several coats hanging just inside. Other images, which project the strength of Britain’s support for Ukraine, were shown of the two standing near a fireplace inside the House and royal officials said “refreshments were served”.
Sir Keir said Europe had to do the heavy lifting to support peace in Europe and said European countries will would keep military aid flowing and increase economic pressure on Russia. He said the leaders had agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table.
In the event of a peace deal, European countries will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.
On details of the coalition of the willing, Sir Keir said: “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency, the UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others.’’
He emphasised that Britain agreed with President Trump on the urgent need for a durable peace.
“We are at a crossroads in history today,’’ he said.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
For the second consecutive day Sir Keir bolstered financial support for Ukraine, backing up his warm hugs for Mr Zelensky on Saturday and a new A$4.4bnbn loan, with a fresh A$3.2bn deal for Ukraine to purchase 5000 air defensive missiles from a Belfast company using export finance.
Oval Office clash reverberates around the world
The astounding Oval Office clash between the US President and Mr Zelensky over security guarantees in any future peace proposal with Russia has reverberated around the world, with panicked EU leaders now facing huge increases in defence and security spending to support Ukraine’s three-year war with invading Russia.
Mr Zelensky on Sunday (UK time) enjoyed warm hugs from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside 10 Downing St before his meeting with King Charles and a gathering of 18 European leaders, including NATO and European Union chiefs, at a crisis summit in London.
Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, who have committed to putting troops on the ground inside Ukraine to back up any peace plan, have been pushing other European leaders to do the same.
Sir Keir has expressed “unwavering determination” to achieve a lasting peace and told Mr Zelensky “we stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take”.
But Hungary and Slovakia have backed the White House’s distancing from Europe and its more pro-Russia position. And NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte twice called on Mr Zelensky to find a way to repair relations with the White House as soon as possible.
“I said (in a call with Mr Zelensky) I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,” Mr Rutte told the BBC.
He told Mr Zelensky “we really have to respect what President Trump has done so far for Ukraine”.
“I told him we really have to give Trump credit for what he did then, what America did since then, and also what America is still doing.”
Even Mr Zelensky appeared ready to soften relations with Mr Trump, and said on Saturday (AEDT) after his clash with the President: “Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.
“American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”
Former NATO Europe commander James Stavridis told CNN these could be the last days of the NATO alliance and the start of a new, slimmer model, the “European Treaty Organisation’’.
He said Europeans had a “gut issue” about who to support – a democracy under attack or a dictator in Moscow. “This is going to drive a wedge deep into the heart of the alliance and it’s going to bleed over beyond Ukraine as to whether the United States can be trusted as a partner,’’ he said.
On Saturday before the crisis meeting, Sir Keir announced a new $5bn loan to Kyiv, to be paid from the sale of frozen Russian assets in Britain and adding to the $31bn already given to Ukraine.
“The funds will be directed towards weapons production in Ukraine. This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay,” Mr Zelensky said.
But European countries and other supporters, including Australia, will have to dig much deeper to come anywhere near filling the void created by any form of US withdrawal or even suspension of weapons. The Kiel Institute says the US has provided Ukraine with $240bn in the past three years. Mr Trump has said the amount is in excess of $US300bn ($485bn).
Anthony Albanese distanced his government from Mr Trump’s position and promised Australia would stand with Ukraine, as he called its fight against Russia a battle for the rule of law.
“We have unequivocal and unconditional support for the brave struggle of the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is defending its national sovereignty, but it’s also defending the international rule of law … Australia has a national interest in providing support,” he said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Mr Zelensky is a “hero” and the “democratically elected leader of a very courageous country”.
“President Trump and Vice-President (JD) Vance, they speak for the Americans,” he said.
“I speak for the Australian position. The Australian position is unequivocal. Now, we couldn’t be more supportive of President Zelensky and his people.”
“(Ukraine) has a democratically elected leader who will go down in history for the bravery of his position and his leadership, and we support him and his country without reservation.”
Mr Zelensky was told to leave the White House on Saturday AEDT after the bad-tempered shouting match unfolded at a press call, including an accusation by Mr Trump that the Ukrainian leader was “gambling with World War Three”. Mr Trump has pushed back on proposals from Ukraine, backed by Britain, for the US to supply peacekeepers and air support as a security guarantee against further Kremlin aggression in any peace plan.
Downing Street then tried to mediate and get the planned meeting back on track for a deal to be signed to provide Ukraine with US investment and the US with access to much needed raw minerals. This deal was to imply further US security support because US workers would be on the ground, but the contract remains unsigned. British officials were told cooler heads have to prevail before any rescheduling.
The fallout from the Oval Office row has seen a Norwegian fuel supplier refuse to refuel US warships, and British shadow home affairs MP Alicia Kearns call for the King to withdraw his state visit invitation to Mr Trump.
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