After talks with Trump, Macron says 'peace must not mean surrendering Ukraine'

French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside US President Donald Trump, said on Monday that any peace deal in Ukraine must include security guarantees and warned that peace cannot mean the “surrender” of Ukraine.

Macron also emphasised that talks with US President Donald Trump had shown a path forward despite fears of a transatlantic rift.

Trump and Macron met at the White House on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

The two leaders said there was progress on the idea of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, although Macron stressed the need for US security guarantees for Kyiv.

“This peace cannot mean the surrender of Ukraine,” Macron said during a joint news conference with Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for peace “this year” while meeting European leaders in Kyiv.

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There are growing concerns over Trump shifting towards a pro-Russia stance. Trump also referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.”

The French president said he would work with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a proposal to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a deal. The UK PM will also be on a trip to Washington and is set to meet Trump at the White House on Thursday.

“After speaking with President Trump, I fully believe there is a path forward,” said Macron.

The French president is on a trip to Washington after US officials met top Russian diplomats in Riyadh to seek peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The talks took place without the involvement of Ukraine and Europe.

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Trump sent shockwaves around the world when he declared his readiness to resume diplomacy with Russia.

The US president said on Monday he was confident of bringing an end to the war.

Trump also announced Zelensky’s expected visit to the White House in the next two weeks to sign a deal granting Washington access to Ukraine’s rare minerals.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, setting off the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, as well as Ukrainian civilians.

Trump accuses Ukraine of starting war

Trump, however, has accused Ukraine of starting the war. This is a complete shift in the earlier stance of US during Democratic predecessor Joe Biden’s time, who held strong support for Kyiv.

The United States later hailed a “landmark agreement” with Russia after the UN Security Council adopted a US resolution that contained no criticism of Moscow’s aggression.