**Russia and Ukraine: A Partial Truce to End the Fighting?**
A plan to stop fighting between Russia and Ukraine for four weeks has been proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The idea is to have a truce on air, sea, and energy infrastructure, but not along the front line in the east where there’s ground fighting.
Macron thinks this could be a good way to test Russia’s willingness to negotiate a peace. It would also give an early win for politicians like President Trump. The plan doesn’t involve giving up any territory, and it could create space for serious talks about a lasting peace.
Under this proposal, a European “assurance force” would go to Ukraine to stop future Russian aggression only after a lasting ceasefire is agreed on. However, the UK government hasn’t fully agreed with this idea yet. Officials say several options are being discussed, but none have been decided on.
Some people think there are problems with this plan, like how to measure if Russia is breaking the truce, especially with attacks by drones or other anonymous forces. Ukraine might also not want to give Russian forces time to regroup and rearm.
**Not Everyone Is Convinced**
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani called the idea “premature”, saying that a lasting peace needs to be agreed on together by Europe, the US, Ukraine, and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also seemed skeptical, saying anyone who wants to negotiate should stop attacking civilians with ballistic missiles.
The success of this plan depends on what Ukraine and Russia think about it. There’s currently no sign that Russia would agree to a partial truce.
**A Fresh Approach?**
Western diplomats say the idea isn’t entirely crazy and could be part of plans being worked on by Europe before being shared with America. It might take some new thinking to get out of the current impasse between the US, Ukraine, and Europe.