US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine points in the right direction, but Macron says several parts need improvement to satisfy Kyiv and Europe. He spoke on RTL on Tuesday.
“It’s an initiative headed toward peace,” Macron said. “However, some parts need discussion, negotiation and improvement.” He stressed that France wants peace, but not a peace that feels like surrender. He added that only Ukrainians can decide what territorial concessions they may accept.
Macron said the proposal shows what Russia could accept. But he asked whether Ukrainians and Europeans agree with it and answered: “No.” He said Ukraine must rebuild its army as its first line of defence after any peace deal, and that this rebuilding must remain unrestricted.
Macron also said Europeans must decide how to use frozen Russian assets. Trump suggests using them for US-led reconstruction programs in Ukraine.
“Europeans are the only ones who have a say, because they hold these assets,” Macron said.
The French president, who will join another virtual meeting of Ukraine’s supporters later today, warned against showing weakness toward Russia, which he described as increasingly aggressive.
“If we show weakness in Ukraine and treat the war as something far away, we will abandon Ukraine,” he warned. He said that would send Moscow a message of weakness, and claimed Russia seeks to restore itself as an imperial power.
Asked if he plans to travel to Washington to seek a better agreement, Macron said he has no such plans.
He said again that Moscow blocks peace in Ukraine. “The only red line we have had for three years is called Russia,” he said.
Also read: Merz and Trump align on next steps for Ukraine peace plan
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