Macron signals “red line” in Ukraine peace plan

Only Russia stands in the way of peace in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has stated.

In an interview with RTL, the president said that US President Donald Trump’s peace plan is moving in the right direction, but certain aspects need improvement to make it acceptable for both Ukraine and Europe, Caliber.Az reports.

He emphasised that only Ukrainians can decide “what territorial concessions they are ready to make.”

“What was put on the table gives us an idea of what would be acceptable for the Russians. Does that mean that it is what must be accepted by the Ukrainians and the Europeans? The answer is no,” Macron added.

French leader noted that Ukraine’s first line of defence in case of peace with Russia would be “regenerating its own army,” and there can be no limit on it.

He also said frozen Russian assets are in Europe, and “Europe alone can decide what to do with them.”

When asked if he planned to travel to Washington to help negotiate a better deal, Macron replied that he currently had no such plans.

Macron has repeatedly insisted that Russia must prove it wants peace, calling for “clear pressure” on Moscow — in cooperation with the U.S. — to accept a ceasefire.

He has argued that any peace deal needs robust security guarantees for Ukraine, warning that peace “cannot be concluded at any price.”

Macron also supports a European force (under a “coalition of the willing”) that could act as a guarantor once a peace deal is signed — though he says such troops should not engage directly on the frontlines initially.

On frozen Russian assets: the EU holds hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian funds, and Macron has suggested Europe alone can decide how to use those assets in negotiations, but also cautioned against outright seizure.

By Jeyhun Aghazada