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French President Emmanuel Macron believes that a truce between Russia and Ukraine could be reached in the coming weeks. His remarks followed a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, where both leaders discussed the future of the conflict.

Macron warned that any peace agreement must be approached with caution, as past deals with Russia have not held. He recalled the ceasefire agreements in 2014, which were repeatedly violated. He stressed that any new agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin must include binding security guarantees to prevent future breaches.

Concerns Over a One-Sided Ceasefire

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war could end soon, but European leaders worry that his approach may favor Russia. During their meeting, Trump told Macron that Europe must take more responsibility for securing peace. He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator.” His comments raised alarm among European allies, who fear that a ceasefire without strong security measures could leave Ukraine vulnerable.

Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are now pushing for a united European position on Trump’s policies. They argue that Europe must take an active role in ensuring Ukraine’s security. Both leaders have suggested that European peacekeeping troops could be deployed to the region, a move intended to boost Europe’s credibility in the negotiations.

Trump claimed that Putin had agreed to the idea of European forces, but Russia’s ambassador to the UK previously rejected such a possibility. The conflicting statements have added to the uncertainty surrounding any potential ceasefire.

US and Ukraine Negotiating a Resource Deal with Security Guarantees

A key issue in the peace negotiations is Ukraine’s security and economic future. Macron emphasized that any peace deal must address security guarantees, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. Trump did not publicly comment on these issues but has insisted that the financial burden of supporting Ukraine should not fall entirely on the US.

One major development in US-Ukraine relations is a proposed $500 billion agreement involving rare earth minerals. The deal, which Trump is framing as part of Ukraine’s repayment for past US aid, would give American companies access to Ukraine’s valuable natural resources.

Trump invited Zelenskyy to the White House to finalize the agreement. Initially, Zelenskyy refused to sign, citing concerns about the lack of firm security guarantees in the deal. However, he later signaled that he was open to further negotiations.

On Sunday, the Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament announced that the government would work toward an agreement with Washington, provided it includes clear security assurances for Ukraine. This development suggests that Ukraine is willing to negotiate, but only if it receives firm commitments from the US.

What This Means for Ukraine and Global Politics

The potential truce comes at a time of uncertainty for Ukraine. European leaders are worried that Trump’s approach could result in a weak ceasefire, leaving Ukraine at risk of further Russian aggression. Macron and Starmer’s push for a stronger European role indicates that they are not willing to rely solely on the US for security guarantees.

If the US and Ukraine reach an agreement on the rare earth mineral deal, it could have major economic implications. Ukraine’s mineral resources are critical for industries such as electronics, defense, and renewable energy. Gaining access to these resources would benefit US businesses but could also create new tensions in global trade.

For now, the world is watching to see whether a ceasefire will happen and what terms will be included. The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the future of the war and Ukraine’s place in global politics.

For more updates on international relations and economic developments, visit Financial Mirror.