United Front on Ukraine Ceasefire: Macron Confirms US Lead Role
France's President, Macron, announces that the United States will keep an eye on the truce situation in Ukraine.
In a press conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, jointly reinforce Ukraine's stance and stand united with US President Donald Trump. Their goal is to push Russia towards a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, mainly monitored by the United States, starting Monday.
According to President Macron, the coalition of the willing - which includes Europeans as well - will work together to achieve this shared goal. However, it's essential that all parties contribute to the effort, not just the United States.
Ukraine and its allies, including Volodymyr Zelensky, pressure Russia for the unconditional ceasefire. If Moscow refuses, they are prepared to escalate sanctions, particularly targeting the energy sector and banking system. The United States, being a strong ally, supports these measures.
Merz Optimistic About Ceasefire Chance
Following a phone call between Trump, Selenskyj, and the coalition's representatives, Merz expressed optimism about ending the conflict in Ukraine. He believes that they might have a slight chance of achieving a lasting peace.
Regarding the possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, Merz stated that they would continue to support Ukraine with military aid, albeit in a more discreet manner. He added that discussions on specific weapons will be taken off the public stage to prevent discussions from becoming politicized.
Tusk: United Free World Stands Together
Donald Tusk emphasized his belief that the free world is united for the first time in a long while. Together with Trump, Ukraine, and other supportive countries, they are pushing for a May 12 ceasefire and immediate resumption of peace talks.
Macron also expressed France's readiness to offer robust security guarantees for Ukraine, assuring Ukraine of their collective support as part of the coalition.
Russia's Conditions for Ceasefire
Russia insists that any ceasefire only happens after the United States and EU stop arming Ukraine, claiming it would give Ukraine an unfair advantage. Russia asserts that without these conditions, a ceasefire would be counterproductive for them, as Ukraine would allegedly use the truce to gain more military strength.
Both sides are skeptical about the other's sincerity in calling for a ceasefire and each blames the other for ceasefire violations. Ukraine continues to fight against Russian aggression with Western support for over three years.
Source: ntv.de, toh/dpa/AFP
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Keir Starmer
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Tusk
- Volodymyr Zelensky
Enrichment Data:
The current status of the 30-day ceasefire proposal for Ukraine is that the coalition of Ukraine, major European countries, and the United States demands an unconditional, comprehensive ceasefire for a period of 30 days, starting May 12, 2025. The ceasefire is intended to facilitate peace negotiations and will mainly be monitored by the United States. Russia has so far resisted these conditions, insisting that the West should halt arms deliveries to Ukraine before any ceasefire takes effect.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the ceasefire involving Ukraine, overseen by the United States, aiming to achieve an unconditional, comprehensive 30-day ceasefire.
- Emmanuel Macron, alongside leaders like Friedrich Merz, Donald Tusk, and Keir Starmer, hopes that the coalition will work together to achieve this shared goal, with all parties contributing to the effort instead of relying only on the United States.
- In the press conference, it was suggested that the Europeans, including Germany and France, could offer robust security guarantees for Ukraine as part of the coalition to further support the ceasefire.
- Conversely, Russia insists that any ceasefire can only occur after the United States and EU stop arming Ukraine, arguing this would give Ukraine an unfair advantage and make a ceasefire counterproductive for them due to potential military strengthening by Ukraine during the truce.
