France, U.K. propose one-month Ukraine truce: Macron tells French newspaper

France and Britain propose one-month truce in Ukraine, focusing on air, sea, and energy infrastructure, with no ground fighting initially.

France and Britain are proposing a one-month truce in Ukraine "in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure" after crisis talks in London, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (March 2, 2025).

In an interview with France's Le Figaro newspaper, Mr. Macron said that such a truce would not, initially at least, cover ground fighting.

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The problem there was it would be very difficult to check that it was being respected given the size of the front line, he said.

Peacekeepers would be deployed at a later date, he said, adding: "There won't be European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks."

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Mr. Macron also suggested that European countries should raise their defence spending to between 3% and 3.5% of GDP to respond to Washington's shifting priorities and Russia's militarisation.