From the partial one-month truce to test Putin's willingness regarding the use of the French nuclear arsenal as a deterrent force for Europe against the threat of Russia. President Emmanuel Macron has put forward his initial proposals for the peace plan he is working on hand in hand with "premier" Keir Starmer and the rest of the European leaders.
During his return trip after the summit in London, and in statements to Le Figaro, Macron suggested the idea of a one-month truce in Ukraine "in the airspace, at sea, and on energy infrastructure." His Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, then took the baton and stated that a one-month truce would serve "to see if Putin acts in good faith" in supposed peace negotiations.
London considered the proposal premature. A Downing Street spokesperson acknowledged that there are "many options on the table among American and European partners," but emphasized that "there is no agreement on a one-month truce." Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard also questioned the possibility of a truce from the outset and stated that efforts should focus "towards lasting peace."
President Macron acknowledged that the vastness of the front in Ukraine - "equivalent to the Paris-Budapest line" - would make it difficult to verify the cessation of hostilities on the ground, hence his proposal for a partial truce affecting actions by air and sea and attacks on energy infrastructure.
Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed Macron's plans in statements to RTL and stressed that a partial truce should be a prelude to verifying if Putin is truly willing to engage in "genuine discussions for lasting and solid peace."
"There has never been such a high risk of war on the European continent, and the front is getting closer," warned Barrot, who cautioned that "a capitulation by Ukraine would be terrible news not only for the country but for Europe and the United States. It is with this spirit that we are trying to have exchanges at all levels with the American administration."
Beyond the possibility of a truce, the debate in France has recently focused on using its arsenal to extend the "nuclear umbrella" to other European countries. Macron stated that he is willing to open this debate after his meeting with future Chancellor Friedrich Merz last week. The German Christian Democratic leader called for "independence" for Europe from the United States, fearing that Donald Trump might undermine NATO from within and withdraw the sixty nuclear warheads stationed at the Büchel military base.
During his recent State visit to Portugal, Macron stated that "there has always been a European dimension in France's interests within its nuclear doctrine." The French President acknowledged that if Europe wants "greater autonomy in defense matters," its leaders must start "an open and strategic debate on nuclear deterrence."
Sebastien Lecorny, Minister of the Armed Forces, specified that the nuclear deterrent force "will remain French, in design, in weapon production, and in its deployment," but warned that France's vital interests also have "a European dimension."
France is currently the fourth nuclear power globally, with an arsenal of 300 nuclear warheads and a system centered on the M51 intercontinental ballistic missiles, with a range of up to 8,000 kilometers. President Charles de Gaulle was the main advocate of the initially named "Force de frappe" later renamed "Force de dissuasion," convinced that France could not entrust its defense to a foreign power (the United States).
The same argument - "French defense must remain French defense" - has been seized upon by Marine Le Pen, the historic leader of the National Rally and a candidate for the French Presidency. "Nuclear deterrence should not be shared, let alone delegated," Le Pen declared, on the eve of the debate on the war in Ukraine and European security in the National Assembly.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou opened the parliamentary debate by calling for unity in the old continent against the United States: "We Europeans are stronger than we think, and we behave as if we are weak. If we are strong, it is up to us to defend ourselves. And we cannot leave the Ukrainian people defenseless."
The debate on nuclear deterrence has not yet resonated in the United Kingdom, the fifth global power with the Trident nuclear program, 250 warheads, and a system mainly based on the Vanguard submarines stationed at the Clyde naval base in Scotland. Keir Starmer has been very cautious so far about extending the British nuclear "umbrella" to other European countries.
"We are working to achieve security guarantees for Ukraine that are worthy of the name," stated premier Keir Starmer during an intervention in the House of Commons, outlining the main points of the peace plan proposals he is working on with Macron and other European leaders.
"There will be a European element, but with an American handbrake, which is vital for it to serve as a guarantee," detailed Starmer, referring to the possible deployment of a peace mission by European countries and the precondition of a ceasefire during hypothetical peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
On the other hand, Reform UK nationalist leader Nigel Farage, aligned with Donald Trump, stated that the agreement for the exploitation of rare minerals will lead to the presence of thousands of workers in Ukraine: "Isn't that enough as a guarantee?" Starmer replied by reminding Farage that "Russia is the aggressor" and that Zelenski "is the wartime leader of a country that has been invaded, and that is why we should all support him and not redirect Putin's messages."