Macron Rejects Ukraine ‘Surrender’ as Trump Eyes Quick Peace Deal with Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron made it clear on Monday that any peace deal to end the Ukraine war must not come at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Speaking after his high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Macron struck a cautious but optimistic tone, emphasizing that talks had opened a “path forward.” However, the French leader insisted that Washington must back any European-led peace initiative with solid security guarantees for Kyiv.

The meeting, which marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, came amid growing concerns that Trump is moving toward a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that could leave Ukraine vulnerable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, called for a definitive peace settlement “this year” as he held discussions with European leaders in Kyiv.

Tensions Rise as U.S. Policy Shifts

While diplomacy took center stage in Washington, the situation on the ground in Ukraine remained dire. Early Tuesday, air raid sirens blared across the country as Russia launched a major missile assault, injuring at least five people and damaging several buildings. The attack even prompted Poland, a NATO member, to scramble its military aircraft in response.

At the United Nations, Washington’s shifting stance was also on display. The U.S. sided with Russia twice on Monday, a move that alarmed Ukraine’s European allies. The decision was seen as an effort to keep the door open for future negotiations with Moscow, but it raised concerns that the U.S. might be stepping back from its previous full-throated support for Kyiv.

“This peace cannot mean the surrender of Ukraine,” Macron declared at a joint press conference with Trump. He acknowledged that Trump had “good reason” to re-engage with Putin but insisted that the U.S. must “back up” any European-led peacekeeping efforts.

Trump’s Unconventional Approach

Trump’s abrupt policy shift on Ukraine has sent shockwaves through European capitals. He has openly declared that he wants to end the war as quickly as possible, even suggesting that negotiations could wrap up within weeks.

“I think we could end it within weeks—if we’re smart. If we’re not smart, it will keep going,” Trump said during his meeting with Macron. He also revealed plans to invite Zelensky to the White House in the coming weeks to sign a deal that would grant Washington access to Ukraine’s rare mineral deposits in exchange for security guarantees.

Trump’s remarks have fueled speculation that he is pushing for a deal that would involve deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine, a move that Putin is reportedly open to considering. However, the former U.S. president has also made it clear that Europe must shoulder the financial burden of supporting Ukraine moving forward.

Putin’s Strategic Patience

As Trump signals a willingness to engage in diplomacy, Putin has been carefully assessing his next move. In a televised interview on Monday, the Russian leader suggested that European nations could play a role in brokering a peace deal. His comments marked a slight shift in tone, hinting that he sees an opportunity to secure a favorable settlement.

Putin also took aim at Zelensky, calling him a “toxic figure” and echoing recent remarks from Trump. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Russian and American businesses have reportedly been in contact over potential economic cooperation—including projects in occupied Ukrainian territories.

The End of U.S. Support for Ukraine?

Trump has made no secret of his intention to distance the U.S. from its traditional foreign policy on Ukraine. He has repeatedly accused Ukraine of provoking the war and has been highly critical of the Biden administration’s extensive military and financial aid to Kyiv.

On Monday, Trump went a step further, calling his policy shift a “decisive break” from what he described as the U.S.’s “very foolish” past approach to foreign conflicts. This pivot was evident at the United Nations, where Washington backed language in a resolution that avoided explicitly blaming Russia for the war.

As talks of a Trump-Putin meeting in Saudi Arabia gain traction, European leaders are scrambling to ensure that Ukraine’s interests are not sidelined. Macron, for his part, remains hopeful that a truce can be reached within weeks—but only if Ukraine is not forced into an unfavorable deal.

For now, the world is watching closely as diplomacy accelerates. Whether these negotiations will lead to a genuine, lasting peace or a strategic realignment that benefits Moscow remains to be seen.