In the face of the debate over possible peace plans for Ukraine, France has urged that no decisions be made without Kiev’s consent. “We have always said that it is the Ukrainians’ affair to decide when and under what conditions peace negotiations will be conducted and that it is up to them to set the framework and parameters” said Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to the “World on Sunday” and other newspapers of the “Leading European Newspaper Alliance” (LENA). However, the US could potentially use its influence and power to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit at the negotiating table.
Barrot stated that Europe should play a central role in any potential talks to bring an end to the fighting in Ukraine, as this would be in the interest of all. “Together with the US and NATO, we will offer security guarantees and ensure that the cessation of hostilities is lasting and peace is just” the French foreign minister said. “It can only be negotiated with the Europeans, because the security of our continent is at stake.”
Donald Trump’s first foreign trip as the designated president was to Paris in early December last year, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the election campaign, Trump had repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine. His special envoy, Keith Kellogg, however, denied reports that he would present a peace plan at the Munich Security Conference from February 14 to 16. Trump will present his own views publicly, Kellogg said.