Macron proposes peacekeeping operations as part of Ukraine support strategy

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to journalists in Washington, D.C., said European military forces should, in the future, participate in peacekeeping operations in Ukraine.

"We are going to need a strong Ukrainian army and will need to help Ukraine with boots on the ground," Macron, as quoted by BBC, said. "We will need peacekeeping operations, which allies of Ukraine are willing to supply."

This is not the first time the French leader has raised the prospect of such a deployment, though previous discussions on the matter have not led to concrete action.

Macron also suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump would be "willing" to impose secondary sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow does not cooperate. He noted that Trump had already levied tariffs on India for its purchases of Russian energy.

The French president stressed that he was "not convinced Russia wants peace," and emphasised that European leaders had made clear to Trump that negotiations could not drag on for weeks or months.

A high-level European delegation joined Macron at the White House, underlining the significance of the talks. The group included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Macron has been among Europe’s most outspoken leaders regarding the war. In a speech in March, he argued that Russia posed a threat to the entire continent. On August 18, he reiterated that the dangers extend far beyond Ukraine.

“What’s happening in Ukraine is extremely important for Ukrainian people, obviously, but for the whole security of Europe, because we speak about containing a nuclear power, which decided just not to respect international borders anymore. And I think it’s very important for your country, because it’s a matter of credibility,” he said. “The way we will behave in Ukraine will be a test for our collective credibility in the rest of the world.”

By Tamilla Hasanova