French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Russia to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal put forward by Ukraine and supported by the United States, as diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict intensify.
In a statement shared on Friday, March 14, Macron emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the proposed ceasefire could be a critical step toward de-escalating the war and ultimately bringing an end to the violence.
Macron said he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the ceasefire and the broader diplomatic efforts underway.
Zelensky, in his nightly address, confirmed that he and Macron had discussed the technical aspects of overseeing a potential ceasefire.
He highlighted the strong backing Ukraine has received from France in these ongoing diplomatic talks. “We have clear support from France,” Zelensky said, referring to Macron’s unwavering stance on the need for peace.
Macron, posting on X (formerly Twitter), underscored the importance of Russia’s cooperation in ending the conflict. “Russia must now accept the U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire,” he wrote.
“The Russian aggression in Ukraine must end. The atrocities must stop. So must the delaying statements.”
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This call for a ceasefire comes after a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier this week, where the United States and Ukraine made progress on diplomatic efforts.
Macron also referenced a meeting in Paris that brought together the Chiefs of Defense from around forty countries, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s support.
The French President’s comments come as the international community continues to push for a lasting peace agreement, and a follow-up videoconference with Zelensky, Starmer, and other global leaders is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
