Macron reiterated that France fully supports a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine in a recent call with Zelensky, as Paris
continues to send aid to Kyiv and peace talks ramp up again.
by Katie Livingstone
French President Emmanuel Macron again pushed for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks to end Russia’s occupation of Ukraine after having a “long discussion”
with President Volodymyr Zelensky and “several other European leaders” on Thursday.
“I reiterated to the Ukrainian President France's full support for a ceasefire to be established,” Macron wrote on X.
The support comes a day after US envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, made “great progress” towards peace during a three-hour-long meeting with Russian leader
Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump said he spoke by phone to Zelensky and EU allies after the meeting,
where he repeated his stance that “the war must come to a close.”
In Thursday’s comments, Macron said his goal is to “initiate discussions toward a strong and lasting solution that upholds Ukraine’s legitimate
rights and ensures its security and that of all Europeans.”
Zelensky confirmed earlier in the day that Paris and Kyiv are working towards several agreements regarding key security issues for Europe and Ukraine,
and that he and allies had discussed the details of his recent call with Trump.
“We are coordinating our positions, and we equally see the need for a common European view on key security issues for Europe,” Zelensky wrote on X “
Much depends – both now and in the long term – on the prudence and effectiveness of each step taken by Europe and America.”
The Ukrainian president reiterated Kyiv’s support for a ceasefire and who was to blame for the devastating war.
“We remain mindful of the need for a real ceasefire. Ukraine is ready for it, and there has been no clear public response from Russia yet,” he said,
“The near future must show what the consequences will be if Russia continues to drag out the war and disrupt constructive efforts.”
France has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal European backers since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022,
supplying weapons, financial aid, and training for Ukrainian troops.
Paris has delivered long-range SCALP-EG missiles, Caesar self-propelled howitzers, and armored vehicles, while also playing a leading role in
EU sanctions policy against Moscow.
Macron has positioned France as both a military supplier and a diplomatic actor, often speaking directly with both Zelensky and Trump in an effort to keep dialogue open.
Earlier this year, France pledged hundreds of millions of euros in additional military aid, including artillery shells and air-defense systems, to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.
Macron has also supported Ukraine’s bid for eventual EU membership and backed NATO’s long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
French officials insist that any settlement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,
and Macron has repeatedly warned that European security is inseparable from Ukraine’s fate.
Paris has also pushed for tighter enforcement of sanctions and greater European investment in defense production to ensure sustained support.
