French FM: European powers outline non-negotiable terms ahead of new Ukraine peace talks

European leaders have presented their non-negotiable conditions to the United States regarding a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, ahead of a critical round of diplomatic talks set to take place in London on April 23.

The announcement came from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot during an interview with Franceinfo radio on April 22, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

The positions were conveyed during a five-nation meeting in Paris on April 17, the first joint consultation between Ukraine, the United States, France, Britain, and Germany since President Donald Trump assumed office. The talks were aimed at identifying possible pathways toward ending the more than three-year-long war in Ukraine.

"The only objective that concerns us is to defend French interests and European security," Barrot said. "It’s the reason that as the U.S. places itself in a mediator role, we make them hear what our 'red lines' are." He declined to specify what these red lines entailed.

High-level officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to participate in Wednesday’s follow-up meeting in London, which may prove pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the ongoing negotiations.

Commenting on Trump’s recent claim that a peace agreement could be reached this week, Barrot cast doubt on the timeline, suggesting that the outcome ultimately hinges on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I think that the (Easter) truce which he (Putin) decreed somewhat surprisingly was a marketing operation, a seduction operation aimed at avoiding that President Trump gets impatient," he said.

While violations of the truce have continued, Barrot noted a noticeable decrease in the use of drones and long-range missiles. This drop in intensity, he suggested, could create a window of opportunity for further ceasefire efforts.

By Khagan Isayev