"United Front for Peace" in Ukraine: Macron Announces US Monitoring of Ceasefire
France's President Macron announces that the United States will be keeping an eye on the truce agreement in Ukraine.
Hang out with celebrities, Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Tusk, and Keir Starmer are all on the same team! These powerful leaders have joined forces with US President Trump to urge a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, starting Monday. The United States will oversee the truce, with the support of Europeans.
According to Macron at a press conference with Merz, Starmer, and Tusk, the US will be predominantly responsible for monitoring the ceasefire—a job that Macron refers to as being "essentially" taken on by the US. The contingent of "Coalition of the Willing" has agreed that all European nations would contribute to the effort, too.
Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky, have expressed their hope that the US will support their call for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire from Russia. If Russia refuses to comply, stronger sanctions will be imposed on the energy sector and banking system, Zelensky said.
Merz: "Maybe a Chance"
In anticipation of Trumps' backing, Selenskyj and the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing" had a phone call with the US President before the Kyiv meeting. Selenskyj's chief of staff, Andrij Jeramak, highlighted the event as "historic moments" on social media.
After their meeting, Merz shared his observation: "It's vital that Russia rejects this ceasefire, which could initiate talks, or else we'll keep defending Ukraine, and increase pressure on Russia." This diplomatic initiative could mark a significant step toward ending the war in Ukraine, Merz added.
"It's possible that we have a slight chance," he admitted after the meeting.
A hot topic for discussion is the potential supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, with Merz stating, "We're militarily supporting Ukraine to the extent we can and should. And our goal is to end this war." However, Merz also emphasized that discussions about specific weapons deliveries would move behind closed doors.
Merz was open to the idea of speaking with Putin, although he promised to coordinate any such conversation with European partners and the US first.
Tusk: "World United"
Tusk, the Polish Prime Minister, expressed his excitement about the prospect of a combined global effort. "For the first time in a long while, there's a sense that the entire free world is truly united," he said.
France's President Macron also expressed his intention to offer robust security guarantees to Ukraine during the meeting with fellow leaders. "We just discussed this with all the heads of state and government who have joined our 'Coalition of the Willing'," Macron claimed.
Russia Demands Arms Deliveries Cease
Russia is putting forth some conditions for the implementation of a ceasefire. These conditions involve the cessation of arms deliveries to Ukraine, which the Kremlin says would provide Ukraine with an advantage.
Russia's spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, shared this sentiment in an interview with ABC News, stating that without a halt to arms deliveries, Ukraine would continue to mobilize, bring new troops to the front, train new personnel, and give current fighters a break.
Both warring parties have a history of accusing each other of not being genuinely interested in ending the conflict. Ukraine has been demanding a 30-day ceasefire since proposing it as a condition for peace talks.
Putin Unfazed by Sanctions Threats
Russia views the sanctions threats as futile. "We are already thinking about what we will do after these sanctions are imposed, how we will minimize their effects," explained Peskov in a Moscow television interview.
The EU and US have already imposed numerous sanctions on Russia, with Western experts attributing the country's surprising resilience to the Russian economy. Nevertheless, Russia continues to generate billions of dollars through oil and gas sales, sustaining the war economy.
A three-day ceasefire, declared by Russia for the anniversary of World War II, is currently in effect until midnight (23:00 CET). Despite the ceasefire, both sides have faced accusations of violations from the other in the past two days.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa/AFP
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Keir Starmer
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Tusk
- Volodymyr Zelensky
[1] https://www.businessinsider.de/russisches-lugano-waffenlager-ukraine-krisengebiet-geschlossen-2023-3[2] https://www.dw.com/en/russia-ukraine-new-clashes-in-donetsk-region-army-claims-back-control/a-64302928
- Keir Starmer, Frederick Merz, Donald Tusk, and Emmanuel Macron have collaborated to propose a regulation on the unconditional ceasefire in war-and-conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, underlining the involvement of the Europeans and the US.
- In an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire proposal, Volodymyr Zelensky hopes for the US's unrestricted support in pressuring Russia to accept the truce, as stronger sanctions will be imposed on Russia's energy sector and banking system if Russia fails to comply.
- Merz has suggested a potential supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine as part of military support to end the war, emphasizing that secret discussions on specific weapons deliveries will take place.
- Russia has put forth conditions for the implementation of a ceasefire, including the halt of arms deliveries to Ukraine, believing this would provide balance in the conflict and prevent Ukraine from mobilizing and training new troops.
