Macron Calls for Strong Security Guarantees for Durable Peace in Ukraine
Paris, France – French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for "strong and credible security guarantees" alongside a "lasting and sustainable" peace in Ukraine. His statement followed phone conversations with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a tweet after a meeting with European leaders in Paris, Macron asserted, "We want a solid and lasting peace in Ukraine. To this end, Russia must cease its aggression, and this must be accompanied by strong and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians."
Macron cautioned against a potential repeat of the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, which aimed to establish a ceasefire but failed to permanently end hostilities between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
European Concerns over US Policy Shift
The call with Zelensky came after Macron convened an emergency meeting in Paris with European leaders to address the major foreign policy shift on Ukraine initiated by President Trump. European leaders expressed concerns that the Republican president might negotiate a peace deal with Russia without involving Kyiv or the European Union.
Zelensky’s Position
Zelensky tweeted that Macron had briefed him on the discussions with European leaders and that they shared a "common vision" for achieving peace. "We share a common vision: security guarantees must be strong and reliable," he wrote.
"Any other decision without these guarantees, such as a fragile ceasefire, would only be a new deception on the part of Russia and a prelude to a new Russian war against Ukraine or other European nations," Zelensky added.
Macron’s Warnings
Macron highlighted the risk of a ceasefire without substantial guarantees: "Otherwise, the risk would be to see this ceasefire end like the Minsk agreements."
He emphasized that "lasting peace" required "strong and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians." These guarantees would ensure Ukraine’s safety and prevent Russia from violating its sovereignty in the future.
Implications for Future Negotiations
Macron’s strong stance reflects the concerns of European leaders about the implications of a potential US-Russia deal that could undermine Ukraine’s interests. The demand for strong security guarantees signals their determination to prevent a recurrence of the failed Minsk agreements and to ensure that any peace settlement is sustainable and respectful of Ukraine’s independence.
The upcoming negotiations between the US, Russia, and Ukraine will be crucial in determining the future of the conflict and the fate of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The demands for strong security guarantees highlight the importance of protecting Ukraine’s security and preventing further Russian aggression.
