Macron stresses lasting peace in Ukraine, requires "unwavering security guarantees"

French President Emmanuel Macron said on August 16 that any enduring peace in Ukraine must be underpinned by strong and reliable security guarantees.

Macron’s remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s meeting on August 15 in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was subsequently followed by Trump’s discussions with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“It is essential to continue supporting Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia as long as its war of aggression continues and until a solid and lasting peace, respectful of Ukraine’s rights, has been established,” Macron wrote on the US social media platform X.

He added that “any lasting peace must be accompanied by unwavering security guarantees,” and welcomed the United States’ willingness to contribute in this regard.

Macron emphasised that France would collaborate with the US and all partners in the Coalition of the Willing, noting that they would meet again soon to make “concrete progress.” He also stressed the importance of learning from the past three decades, particularly from Russia’s “well-established tendency not to honour its own commitments.”

The French president said France will continue to work closely with Washington and Kyiv “to safeguard our interests in a spirit of unity and responsibility,” concluding that “France remains firmly at Ukraine’s side.”

Meanwhile, Trump and Putin expressed optimism after their more than three-hour private talks in Alaska, with the Russian leader saying they had achieved an “understanding.”

Following the meeting, Trump said it was now up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders “to get it done.”

“A lot of points were agreed on, there’s not that much, you know, one or two pretty significant items, but I think they can be reached,” Trump said during a Fox News interview. “Now, it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it’s up to President Zelenskyy.”

By Tamilla Hasanova