In a bid to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, France and Britain have proposed a temporary ceasefire targeting air, naval, and energy infrastructure attacks. The initiative, revealed by French President Emmanuel Macron following crisis talks in London, seeks to curb large-scale destruction without immediately halting ground combat.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Macron acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing a truce on the battlefield due to the vast and volatile front lines. While the possibility of peacekeeping forces remains on the table, he ruled out any imminent European military deployment. “There won’t be European troops in Ukraine in the coming weeks,” he confirmed.
Macron also used the moment to push for greater European military spending, calling for nations to raise defense budgets to at least 3-3.5% of GDP. Highlighting Russia’s significant defense expenditure—estimated at 10% of its GDP—he warned that Europe must be prepared for an evolving security landscape. “We must be ready for what comes next,” he emphasized.
In a separate interview with Italy’s Il Foglio, Macron stressed the importance of a unified European approach, calling Italy a crucial player in stabilizing the region. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni downplayed the idea of her country contributing to any peacekeeping efforts, stating it was “never on the agenda.”
As the proposal moves forward, questions remain over its enforcement and effectiveness. With continued uncertainty on the battlefield and no clear consensus among European leaders, the fate of the ceasefire remains in the balance.
