FM: France demands seat at the table for Ukraine peace talks

France must play a central role in any negotiations on Ukraine, as these talks are deeply tied to pan-European security, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated in an interview with RTL radio, per Caliber.Az.

"Paris has always maintained that, if Ukraine agrees, there could be a point where Russia is included in the negotiations. We have no taboos about this," Barrot said. "What matters most is that France must be part of any discussions regarding security in Europe."

Barrot emphasized that while the war in Ukraine directly impacts the country's territorial integrity, it also poses broader security risks for Europe. "What is happening in Ukraine today goes beyond its borders; it directly affects the security interests of Europe," he added.

In related developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron recently held a private meeting at Chequers to discuss deploying British and French soldiers to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission following a potential ceasefire agreement.

President Macron is reportedly leading the push for this initiative, having already discussed the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. While details of the discussions remain confidential, neither Downing Street nor the Élysée Palace has denied the reports.

Although still in the early stages, the proposal has yet to receive full endorsement from Prime Minister Starmer. Nevertheless, the UK's commitment to military aid for Ukraine remains steadfast. "The UK stands firm in its support for Ukraine," Starmer declared, reiterating his government's pledge of £3 billion annually in military assistance for the duration of the conflict.

The discussions surrounding a potential peacekeeping mission align with broader diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing Ukraine after a possible ceasefire. However, no additional funding commitments have been made by the UK as part of its partnership with Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova