France and the UK have proposed a one-month truce in Ukraine, focusing on air, sea, and energy infrastructure, following high-level crisis talks in London, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed on Sunday, as reported by AFP.
In an interview with Le Figaro, Macron clarified that the ceasefire would not initially include ground combat due to the challenges of monitoring compliance along the extensive frontline. He noted that peacekeepers could be deployed at a later stage but ruled out the presence of European troops in Ukraine in the near future.
Macron also urged European nations to increase their defense spending, proposing a rise to between 3.0 and 3.5 percent of GDP. He stressed that this adjustment was necessary given Russia’s growing military expenditures and shifting U.S. priorities. “For three years, Russia has allocated 10 percent of its GDP to defense. We must be prepared for what lies ahead,” he cautioned.
In a separate interview with Italy’s Il Foglio, Macron underscored Italy’s vital role in addressing the Ukraine crisis. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni downplayed the idea of Italy participating in a peacekeeping mission, stating that such discussions were “never on the agenda.”
“We need a strong Italy, working alongside France and Germany within the framework of major global powers,” Macron said, emphasizing the need for European unity in handling the ongoing conflict.
