French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s readiness to end the war in Ukraine, even as diplomatic efforts intensify.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News after a high-level meeting at the White House on Monday, Macron said: “When I look at the situation and the facts, I don’t see President Putin very willing to get peace now. But perhaps I’m too pessimistic.”
Push for Peace, With Pressure
Macron stressed that while US President Donald Trump’s optimism about a potential deal with Putin should be welcomed, the international community must be prepared to increase primary and secondary sanctions if Russia refuses to comply.
“There is an aggressor, which is Russia… we cannot just create an equivalent situation between Ukraine and Russia,” Macron said, adding that Ukraine must be provided credible security guarantees to prevent further attacks.
Security Guarantees at the Core
The French leader warned that any peace settlement without security commitments would be meaningless: “If you make any peace deal without security guarantees, Russia will never respect its words.”
Trump had earlier claimed that Putin signaled openness to such guarantees during their recent meeting in Alaska — a point Macron said was encouraging, though far from conclusive.
No Land Swaps
Rejecting the idea of territorial concessions, Macron argued that land should not be traded for peace: “Now, when we speak about territory, it’s for the Ukrainian president and for the Ukrainian people to discuss about it.” He added that Russia’s current demands differed little from its original aims at the start of the war.
Wider Security Stakes
Macron also underscored that the conflict’s impact extends far beyond Ukraine. “We speak about containing a nuclear power that decided not to respect international borders anymore. The way we behave in Ukraine will be a test for our collective credibility in the rest of the world,” he said.
The White House talks brought together a heavyweight group of leaders, including NATO chief Mark Rutte, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underlining the stakes for Europe’s security.
Outlook
With fighting still raging — including fresh Russian strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia during the talks — the challenge remains how to balance Trump’s push for swift negotiations with Europe’s insistence on tougher conditions for Moscow.
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