The United Kingdom has refuted claims that it has reached an agreement with France on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine. This clarification comes after French President Emmanuel Macron stated that London and Paris had proposed a one-month truce focused on air, sea, and energy infrastructure.
Macron’s Statement on Truce Proposal
In an interview with Le Figaro, Macron suggested that France and the UK were behind a plan to establish a temporary ceasefire, specifically excluding ground combat. According to him, this truce would aim to reduce escalations in key strategic areas while maintaining diplomatic discussions. However, he did not indicate whether Ukraine or Russia had been consulted about the proposal.
UK’s Response: No Formal Agreement
Despite Macron’s remarks, the UK quickly distanced itself from any formalized agreement. UK armed forces minister Luke Pollard told Times Radio on Monday that while discussions are ongoing with European allies, no agreement has been finalized regarding the nature of a potential ceasefire.
“No agreement has been made on what a truce looks like,” Pollard stated.
He emphasized that while the UK is committed to finding ways to create a “lasting and durable peace in Ukraine,” discussions remain in the exploratory phase.
A UK government official, speaking anonymously, further reinforced this stance, stating that various options remain under consideration, but a one-month truce has not been agreed upon. The official also noted that discussions with the United States and other European partners would continue before any formal decision is made.
Crisis Talks in London
Macron’s remarks followed a high-level meeting held in London, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened discussions with European leaders, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Canadian representatives. The meeting focused on assessing the current situation in Ukraine and potential next steps in supporting the country against Russian aggression.
A spokesperson from 10 Downing Street reiterated that the UK remains committed to advancing discussions but stopped short of confirming any truce proposal:
“As the PM said in his press conference, we need and want to progress with momentum, and we are pleased today’s summit has enabled discussions to move forward. Those discussions will continue at pace.”
What This Means for Ukraine and Its Allies
The conflicting statements between France and the UK suggest that while there is interest in de-escalation, the specifics of any truce remain uncertain. Ukraine’s government has not publicly commented on Macron’s claim, and Russia has yet to respond to reports of the alleged ceasefire proposal.
If implemented, a limited truce could provide some relief from targeted attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and allow for potential diplomatic negotiations. However, without clear agreement among key stakeholders, including Ukraine itself, the viability of such a plan remains in question.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen whether the UK and France will align on a formal ceasefire proposal or whether broader international consensus will be required before any truce takes shape.
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