In a fresh attempt to halt the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, France and the United Kingdom have put forward a joint peace proposal involving a month-long ceasefire followed by the deployment of Western European peacekeepers. French President Emmanuel Macron detailed the plan in an interview with Le Figaro on March 2, stating that Paris and London aim to end the hostilities but not at any cost. However, Moscow has expressed deep skepticism toward the initiative, arguing that any foreign military presence in Ukraine without Russia’s approval would be seen as an act of aggression.

The proposal comes on the heels of an emergency summit in London, convened in response to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s tumultuous visit to Washington last week. Zelensky’s meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly devolved into a heated argument, leading to the abrupt termination of his visit. This episode has raised concerns among Kiev’s backers about Ukraine’s deteriorating position on the battlefield and the effectiveness of its diplomatic engagements.

Given the increasing reluctance of the US to provide unconditional military aid, European powers, particularly France and the UK, appear to be stepping up their role in shaping a potential peace process. Macron has openly dismissed the idea of a US-Russia-negotiated settlement, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin would seek to humiliate Ukraine, possibly by imposing disarmament measures. Instead, he argues that Europe must take the lead in crafting a ceasefire plan that ensures Kiev’s sovereignty while stopping the violence.

The French-UK plan envisions a........

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