Macron urges Russia to accept 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Russia to accept a joint American-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

“Russia must now accept the American-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire,” Macron wrote on X on 14 March. “Russian aggression in Ukraine must end. The abuses must stop. The dilatory statements too.”

On 11 March, Ukrainian and the US delegations met in Saudi Arabia, where the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire was accepted. The ceasefire would reportedly halt combat operations along the entire frontline, suspend long-range missile and drone strikes, and end operations in the Black Sea.

Steve Whitcoff, President Trump’s special representative, travelled to Moscow on 13 March to discuss these proposals. Putin said that Moscow is prepared to accept the ceasefire but demanded that Ukraine freeze mobilisation, military training, and foreign military aid deliveries during the 30-day ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump said that Putin “made a very promising statement, but it wasn’t complete.” Trump also warned that if Russia does not agree to the 30-day ceasefire, it would be “a disappointing moment for the world.”

Macron said on X that he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and later with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following “progress made possible by the meeting between the United States and Ukraine on Tuesday (11 March) in Jeddah.”

The French president also mentioned that a meeting took place in Paris on 11 March, which brought together about 40 army chiefs of staff.

Macron announced that on 15 March, he would continue working on strengthening support for Ukraine and establishing a “solid and lasting peace” through a video conference with Starmer, Zelensky, and other partners.

On 14 March, G7 countries declared their readiness to impose further sanctions against Russia and increase support for Ukraine if Russia rejects the ceasefire proposal.

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