Macron urges lasting peace in Ukraine backed by strong security guarantees
'It is essential to continue supporting Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia as long as its war of aggression continues and until a solid and lasting peace, respectful of Ukraine's rights, has been established,' Macron wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
He emphasized that 'any lasting peace must be accompanied by unwavering security guarantees,' and welcomed the U.S. administration's apparent readiness to contribute in this regard.
Macron's remarks came after Trump's meeting with Putin on Friday and subsequent calls with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump, who previously called for a ceasefire as a first step, has now shifted to endorsing a broader peace agreement.
'We will work on this with them and with all our partners in the Coalition of the Willing, with whom we will meet again soon, to make concrete progress,' Macron said, noting the need to learn from 'Russia's well-established tendency not to honor its own commitments.'France, he added, would continue working closely with Washington and Kyiv 'to safeguard our interests in a spirit of unity and responsibility.''France remains firmly at Ukraine's side,' Macron concluded.Trump and Putin described their three-hour talks in Alaska as productive, with both leaders expressing optimism.Trump later said it was now up to Zelenskyy and European leaders 'to get it done,' hinting that most issues had been resolved, apart from 'one or two significant items.' — Agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
9 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
Melania Trump delivers emotional plea for peace to Putin in letter focused on children
WASHINGTON — First lady Melania Trump made a rare diplomatic gesture by authoring a personal letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to consider the plight of children amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The letter was hand-delivered by President Donald Trump during his meeting with Putin on Friday in Alaska. Although the letter did not explicitly mention Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022, it appealed to Putin's conscience through the lens of childhood innocence. 'There is an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology,' the first lady wrote on official White House stationery. 'You have the power to singlehandedly restore the melodic laughter of children,' she continued, calling on Putin to take steps to protect children caught in conflict. 'In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone — you serve humanity itself.' The letter was first obtained by Fox News Digital and later circulated on social media by Trump administration allies, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Melania Trump added that such action could be achieved 'with the stroke of a pen.' Putin's government has faced global condemnation for forcibly relocating Ukrainian children into Russian territory since the onset of the war. The Associated Press previously documented these transfers in 2022, prompting the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of war crimes and personal responsibility for the abductions. The White House did not comment on whether Putin formally responded to the first lady's message, but Russian state media described the letter as 'symbolic and emotional.' The letter marks Melania Trump's most prominent public role to date in the administration's foreign policy arena, and comes as the U.S. and European leaders intensify diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
9 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
European leaders to join Zelenskyy for White House meeting with Trump
KYIV — European and NATO leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Monday for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday. The move comes amid concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Trump's push for a peace deal with Russia could pressure Zelenskyy into accepting unfavorable terms. The joint appearance aims to ensure a united front and prevent a repeat of the tense Oval Office encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy in February. Von der Leyen said on social media platform X that her participation, along with other European leaders, followed a request from Zelenskyy. "In support of Ukraine and at the request of President Zelenskyy, I will join the meeting with President Trump and other European leaders in the White House tomorrow," she wrote. Shortly after her announcement, several high-level European figures confirmed they would also be attending. Among them were French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The coordinated diplomatic push reflects European leaders' determination to remain central in negotiations over Ukraine's future. Their presence also signals strong transatlantic backing for Kyiv following Friday's summit in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which excluded Zelenskyy and ended without a ceasefire agreement. Trump has since suggested that a direct peace agreement — not a ceasefire — is the best path forward, drawing concerns in Europe that Russia could exploit such a strategy to continue its aggression while talks unfold. Monday's meeting is expected to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, European participation in any future settlement talks, and efforts to forge a united diplomatic path ahead. — Agencies
Leaders
9 minutes ago
- Leaders
3 States Send National Guard Troops to Washington amid Protests over Trump's DC Crackdown
Three US states said they would send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington to back Donald Trump administration's effort to overhaul policing in the nation's capital through a federal crackdown, reported the Associated Press (AP). Meanwhile, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest Trump's executive order federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 District of Columbia National Guard members. US States Sending Troops Three Republican-led states announced they would send hundreds of national guard members to the capital at the request of the Trump administration. West Virginia Governor, Patrick Morrisey, announced the deployment of 300 to 400 troops, saying that the state 'is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital.' Meanwhile, South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster, said he would deploy 200 national guard members to help law enforcement in Washington, and Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, pledged 150 military police from the Guard to 'carry out presence patrols and serve as added security.' Trump's DC Takeover Last week, Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the Democratic District of Columbia. The US President said that his administration would take over Washington's police department for at least a month and activate 800 members of the National Guard to reduce crimes and remove homeless encampments. 'We're going to take our capital back,' Trump said. The District of Columbia enjoys a congressionally established federal district status, which gives Trump a unique opportunity to advance his crackdown-on-crime agenda. In his emergency declaration, Trump cited the 'city government's failure to maintain public order and safety' which impact 'the Federal Government's ability to operate efficiently to address the Nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.' Trump's show of force came as the DC police department's data showed that violent crime was at a 30-year-low when the US President returned to office in January and 26% lower compared to this time last year, according to The Guardian. More Manpower The Trump administration's activations of National Guard members indicate that it needs additional manpower, although the US President dismissed the idea that Washington needs to enlarge its police force. However, the Trump administration has not revealed why it needs additional troops and the deployed National Guard members have so far played a limited role in the federal intervention. Within this context, a White House official said that more National Guard troops are being sent to Washington to 'protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime,' according to Reuters. Protests against Trump's Crackdown Hundreds of Americans demonstrated against Trump's federal crackdown and attempted takeover of Washington's police department. On Saturday, protesters marched to the White House, carrying banners saying 'No fascist takeover of DC,' while chanting 'Shame' and 'No military occupation.' The protesters were driven by concerns that Trump could use crime as a pretext to increase his influence and impose his will on Washington, hoping that they could push the administration to reverse its actions. The demonstrations took place one day after the Trump administration backed off an effort to appoint Drug Enforcement Administration head, Terry Cole, as an 'emergency police commissioner' who would assume full operational control over DC police, after DC Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, filed a lawsuit in federal court. Short link : Post Views: 7
