French President Emmanuel Macron recently emphasized the need for Ukraine’s European supporters to continue equipping its troops, even in peacetime. Macron’s statement came after a meeting in Washington between several European leaders, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, and US President Donald Trump.
Macron stressed that a potential peace deal should not impose limits on the size of Ukraine’s military, directly opposing Russia’s demands. Moscow has maintained that any peace agreement must include Ukraine’s neutrality and restrictions on the size of its armed forces. However, Kiev has deemed this unacceptable.
“The first security guarantee is a robust Ukrainian army capable of repelling any attempted attack,” Macron said in a statement to reporters. He added that Ukraine’s army should consist of “several hundred thousand men” with no limitations on its size. Macron urged European countries to take the lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine and equipping its army.
The Ukrainian army has faced challenges in replenishing its ranks during the ongoing mobilization campaign as Russia continues to gain ground. Ukraine has long sought guarantees from the West similar to NATO’s collective defense, but the US has rejected full NATO membership for Ukraine.
In a separate development, US President Donald Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to security guarantees for Kiev. However, Trump did not provide further details. The two leaders met in Alaska on Friday, and both sides described the summit as a crucial step toward peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Moscow has reiterated that it will not tolerate Western troops in Ukraine, even if they are deployed as peacekeepers. Russia has also insisted that Ukraine must abandon its plans to join NATO. Putin warned that Ukraine might exploit a potential ceasefire to regroup and rearm.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a pressing concern for the international community, with various countries working to broker a peaceful resolution. As diplomatic efforts continue, Macron’s statement highlights the importance of a robust Ukrainian army and the need for European countries to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
