French president urges Russia to accept 30-day ceasefire proposal

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Russia to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States and Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of halting the ongoing hostilities.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Macron stressed that "the hostilities must be stopped," reflecting the growing international pressure to de-escalate the conflict, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Macron further revealed that he had discussed the outcomes of recent talks between US and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The discussions in Jeddah, which took place prior to Macron's statement, concluded with Ukraine's agreement to the proposed ceasefire, with the United States expected to relay the offer to Moscow.

The ceasefire proposal has been a point of contention in recent days. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in talks with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, confirmed that Russia is open to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

However, Putin expressed concerns, stating that any ceasefire should ultimately lead to a lasting peace. He raised questions about the potential ramifications of a ceasefire, particularly regarding the Ukrainian-controlled section of Russia's Kursk region, as well as the possibility that Ukraine might use the pause to mobilize and rearm its forces. Putin emphasized the need for oversight of Ukraine's actions during such a ceasefire period.

The US has been clear in its stance, emphasizing that "reciprocity" is key to achieving peace, and stressed that the 30-day ceasefire proposal should be viewed as a starting point for broader negotiations. Meanwhile, the European Union has urged Russia to demonstrate its willingness to end the conflict and engage in meaningful peace talks.

By Vafa Guliyeva