Britain announced on Monday that several proposals for a potential Ukraine ceasefire are under consideration, following France’s suggestion of a one-month truce to pave the way for peace talks.
European nations, led by Britain and France, are exploring peace options for Ukraine after a tense meeting last week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“There are clearly a number of options on the table,” said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though he refrained from commenting further on the details of the proposals.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz acknowledged Europe’s growing involvement but emphasized that European countries must also invest in the necessary military capabilities to support peace efforts.
France, Britain, and potentially other European countries have offered to send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed upon, but they would require U.S. support for this intervention, which has been referred to as a “backstop.”
Zelenskiy insists that any ceasefire must be accompanied by security guarantees from the West to prevent further Russian aggression, but Trump has refused to provide such assurances.
At a summit hosted by Starmer in London on Sunday, European leaders agreed to develop a peace plan for Ukraine to present to the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron raised the idea of a one-month ceasefire, although it has yet to receive public support from other allies.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot explained that a truce focusing on air, sea, and energy infrastructure would help assess whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is genuinely committed to peace, and could pave the way for real negotiations.
Macron indicated that European ground troops would only be deployed in a second phase if a ceasefire is successfully established.
Zelenskiy, when asked about Macron’s proposal, responded, “I’m aware of everything.”
European leaders are adjusting to a significant shift in U.S. policy, especially after Zelenskiy abruptly left the White House last Friday following a confrontation with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
