French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have proposed a month-long ceasefire in Ukraine to assess Russia’s willingness to end the conflict.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.
Macron has said that he and Starmer proposed a month-long ceasefire in the air, at sea and in relation to energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
However, the French president has said that the proposal does not address the situation on the ground, as the length of the front line makes it difficult to verify compliance with the ceasefire.
“This ceasefire in the air, at sea and in relation to energy infrastructure will allow us to verify the good faith of Russian President Vladimir Putin and that was when real peace negotiations will begin.
Barrot told the France Inter broadcaster, adding that “first of all, this is a way to assess whether Russia really wants to put an end to this war.’’
During a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council in January, Putin said that the goal in resolving the Ukraine conflict should be a long-term peace.
Putin did not agree to a short ceasefire that would allow the Ukrainian military to regroup and rearm.
Ukraine adamant
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he is not willing to discuss peace, emphasising that time is not on Kiev’s side.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed this on Monday.
“Success looks like President Zelenskyy sitting down and discussing the terms of peace, including what Ukraine needs to see to reach a partial ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire, and end this war.
“What became so evident to us in that session on Friday was that he is not ready to talk peace at all.
“But here’s the problem—time is not on his side,” he added in an interview with Fox News.
Britain’s King Charles III is to meet with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Monday just a day after he welcomed Zelensky to his Sandringham retreat.
Trudeau would have a private audience with Charles at the monarch’s Norfolk estate after the Canadian leader flew to London to join an emergency defence summit of European leaders at the weekend.
The king welcomed Zelensky on Sunday afternoon, demonstrating solidarity.
This happened after the president’s dramatic Oval Office clash with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic efforts on Ukraine have intensified as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Europe’s leaders they stand at a “crossroads in history and urged them to join his coalition of the willing.’’
Charles, who invited Trump for a second UK state visit, is viewed as a unifying figure despite recent events.
On the world’s political stage, the royal families through so-called soft power diplomacy.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to make neighbouring Canada the 51st state of America, claiming that without a massive subsidy from the U.S.
“It ceases to exist as a viable country.’’
Trudeau is set to raise his concerns over the matter with Charles, who is king of Canada.
The Canadian leader said in London on Sunday that he would discuss matters of importance to Canadians with the monarch.
He said, “nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.’’
Trump has also vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods from Canada as soon as Tuesday amid his concerns over border crossings.
Charles has faced criticism for being silent about Trump’s suggestion of annexing Canada.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney said: “for Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented’’ on Trump’s threats, he can only act on the advice of Canada’s prime minister.
“The Government of Canada should ask the Head of State to underscore Canadian sovereignty,’’ Kenney posted on X.
Artur Wilczynski, a former Canadian public servant, posted on X: “Canadians will need to decide what purpose King Charles III serves as King of Canada if he can’t even speak up for our sovereignty.’’
