After a lengthy and tense meeting in Rome, French President Emmanuel Macron made a resonant statement regarding the prospects for peace in Ukraine
Following a conversation with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, he emphasized that it is now primarily Russia under Vladimir Putin’s leadership that must demonstrate sincerity in its pursuit of peace. According to the French head of state, this will be a key moment in the search for a political solution to the conflict that has been ongoing for over a year. In his comments, published on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Macron highlighted that the Ukrainian side expressed its readiness for an unconditional ceasefire, which is a consolidated joint strategic direction with Western partners, including the United States and the European Union. He stated that Ukraine has confirmed its desire to work together to establish peace, while in his opinion, the responsibility now lies with Russia. "We discussed the most important issue — ending the war in Ukraine. This is a goal shared not only by France but also by all our allies, including President Trump. Ukraine has expressed its readiness for an unconditional ceasefire. President Zelensky confirmed this to me personally. He aims to collaborate with Americans, Europeans, and the international community so that this process becomes a reality. Now, our main responsibility is to ensure that Russia, on its part, takes the appropriate step and proves that it genuinely seeks peace," Macron said in his statement. The French leader also emphasized that he will continue supporting initiatives aimed at achieving a sustainable and lasting peace. He noted that he is working within the framework of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" — a grouping of states and organizations committed to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The goal of such cooperation is not only to stop hostilities but also to create a foundation for long-term peace in Ukraine, addressing the humanitarian and political issues that have arisen as a result of the war. Rumors and analysts suggest that the new statements from the French leader are an attempt to find a diplomatic solution that considers the interests of all parties, with a particular emphasis on whether the Kremlin will demonstrate its readiness for peace. At the same time, many experts note that, in this challenging time when the war has been ongoing for more than a year, any efforts must be cautious and concrete. Whether it will be possible to achieve a genuine ceasefire and long-term peace remains a matter of time and political will at the highest levels of the international community. Macron's statements are among the most meaningful in recent times and will undoubtedly become the subject of further discussion and diplomatic maneuvering. From now on, all parties are once again reminded: the role of international partners lies not only in words but also in concrete steps capable of changing the situation on the battlefield and in the diplomatic process. The decisive role, besides Ukraine, now belongs to the Kremlin, and its actions will determine whether the world can end this conflict and begin rebuilding lives shattered by war.