During the London summit on Sunday, European leaders outlined a “peace plan” for the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This initiative, which they intend to present to U.S. President Donald Trump, was partially revealed by French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with Le Figaro.
Key Elements of the European Proposal
The summit, attended by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders, focused on strategies to support Ukraine while navigating shifting geopolitical dynamics. While Starmer provided only broad remarks on the plan, Macron elaborated on its core elements.
At the heart of the proposal is a one-month truce covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure. Macron stressed the importance of defining a limited scope for the ceasefire to facilitate its monitoring. “The front today stretches the equivalent of the Paris-Budapest line,” he noted, underlining the complexities of verifying compliance across such an extended battleground.
No Immediate Deployment of European Troops
While the long-term plan envisions a potential deployment of European forces to stabilise the situation, Macron ruled out any immediate deployment of European troops on Ukrainian soil. Instead, the priority is to establish a viable ceasefire through negotiations, a process he estimated would take several weeks. If successful, the next stage would involve the deployment of forces to ensure the implementation of a peace agreement.
Europe’s Military Preparedness and Defence Budget
Macron also used the interview to reiterate the need for Europe to bolster its defence spending. “For three years, Russia has allocated 10% of its GDP to defence. We must prepare accordingly,” he stated. France currently allocates 2% of its GDP to defence, a figure significantly higher than many of its European counterparts. Macron suggested setting a new target of 3% to 3.5% of GDP to enhance Europe’s military readiness.
The Role of Nuclear Deterrence
Another key issue addressed was nuclear deterrence. Macron advocated for a broader European discussion on the role of nuclear defence at the continental level. However, this stance has met political resistance, particularly from Marine Le Pen, who insists that France’s nuclear capabilities should remain under exclusive national control. Dismissing her criticisms, Macron pointed to her party’s absence from recent strategic discussions, highlighting a lack of serious engagement on the issue.
Geopolitical Implications
The European peace initiative comes at a sensitive moment in transatlantic relations. Zelensky’s recent confrontation with Trump in Washington underscored tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine, making the European proposal particularly significant. While the plan remains in its early stages, it signals Europe’s intent to take a more active role in shaping the trajectory of the conflict.
