Ukraine partial truce agreement fails, UK says
3 Min Read
The announcement quickly followed French President Macron's remarks on a partial truce that would include a halt in fighting in the air, at sea, and the targeting of energy infrastructure.
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Britain's Keir Starmer speaks at a press conference as he hosts a European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine at Lancaster House in London, Sunday March 2, 2025 (AP)
France and Britain have failed to reach an agreement on a partial truce plan for Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron said it had been proposed by the two nations, according to a UK Minister.
"No agreement has been made on what a truce looks like," Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard told Times Radio, adding, "But we are working together with France and our European allies to look at what is the path to how... we create a lasting and durable peace in Ukraine."
An anonymous UK government official downplayed the existence of an agreement. "There are various options on the table, subject to further discussions with the US and European partners but a one-month truce has not been agreed," the official said.
This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron told Le Figaro that London and Paris are proposing a one-month truce that would see a cessation of fighting in the air, at sea, and at energy infrastructure while ground fighting would continue.
Macron's remarks followed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's crisis talks on Ukraine with European leaders, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and Canada in central London on Sunday.
Europe convenes to discuss Ukraine
Britain and France were cooperating on a plan to end the fighting in Ukraine, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on March 2, as European leaders convened for emergency talks following a diplomatic row between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump and Zelensky got into a heated exchange of accusations during their meeting in the Oval Office on March 1st, where the US president told his Ukrainian counterpart that his country is "in big trouble" and cannot achieve a victory against Russia while threatening US withdrawal from aiding Kyiv.
Donald Trump also mocked Zelensky's military attire after US advisors told Zelensky that it would be better if he wore a suit in the White House, something Ukraine's president opted against.
Following the argument, the Ukrainian delegation, which was hoping to sign a minerals deal that would pave the way toward a US-brokered ceasefire, was told to leave the White House by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, according to Axios.
The British PM announced during the summit that "the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States."
The summit in London welcomed over a dozen European leaders, including France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Turkiye, as well as representatives from the European Union and NATO, reaffirming their support for Ukraine amid fears that Trump may abandon it.
