Britain and France do not agree on a “month-long truce” in Ukraine
3 March 2025 16:18
The United Kingdom has rejected French President Emmanuel Macron ‘s idea of a one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine, which would apply “in the air, at sea and in energy,” "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing the Financial Times.
Disagreements between European countries became evident at the London summit, where leading European powers tried to show unity and develop a common strategy after the unsuccessful meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
A British official quoted by the newspaper said that various options were being considered for further discussion with the United States and European partners, but that there was no specific agreement on a one-month truce.
British Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard expressed concern about the possible cessation of hostilities, noting that
“a short pause in the war will only give Russia time to rearm, regroup and re-invade.”
President Zelenskyy also did not support the idea of an immediate ceasefire without reliable security guarantees, saying after the summit that such a cessation of hostilities without clear guarantees would be “a defeat for everyone.”
The Ukrainian Armed Forces also sharply criticized the French initiative. Ivan Tymochko, chairman of the Armed Forces Reservists Council, said that temporary ceasefires would not have an impact on the war, and even if such an agreement is signed, Russia will find ways to do maximum damage to Ukraine.
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Security of Ukraine and Europe
The Munich Security Conference 2025 came as a real shock to many and a cold shower to European politicians after US representatives voiced their vision of the future security model in Europe and the world. In particular, US Vice President Jay De Vance ‘s speech was about Europe no longer relying on the US security umbrella, as the US will no longer guarantee it. The Europeans were also told that the security of Ukraine after the ceasefire with Russia will also be on their shoulders, as it concerns European affairs, from which the United States is withdrawing.
And now the United States does not even “physically” see Europe at the table with Russia.
Against this backdrop, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of the European Armed Forces. This idea has already been quickly rejected in Poland.
Europeans were shocked by this turn from the United States. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was the first to recover, saying that his country “can and will” send its contingent to Ukraine as a peacekeeper if a truce with Russia is concluded.
on February 17, French President Emmanuel Macron urgently convened the heads of “leading European states” to form a common position on this issue. However, it was not achieved. As it turned out, Britain, France, and Sweden were in favor of sending peacekeeping contingents to Ukraine, while Germany, Poland, Italy, and Spain were against it. Later, Macron said he was not going to send troops to Ukraine.
