UK, France Propose One-Month Truce In Ukraine War

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has proposed a month-long truce in Ukraine, suggesting it would test Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to peace. This initiative follows a summit in London, where French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed a ceasefire that would initially exclude ground fighting. While Macron emphasized the need for a truce to verify Putin's intentions, UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard downplayed the proposal, stating no formal plan has been recognized yet. Despite this, there is a collective effort among European leaders to explore pathways for peace, including potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a desire for ongoing discussions with the US and remains firm on not ceding territory to Russia. The situation remains fluid as various diplomatic efforts unfold amidst contrasting perspectives from European leaders and American political figures.