Britain and France are to propose a one-month partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

London (Reuters) - France and Britain are to propose a one-month partial ceasefire in Ukraine as a starting point for lasting peace. Meanwhile, U.S. officials continue to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymiy Zelensky to change his stance on the war with Russia or resign. Zelensky, for his part, said U.S.-Ukrainian relations could still be salvaged.

In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that the one-month partial ceasefire plan he and British Prime Minister Starmer are working on, covering air, sea and energy infrastructure, would not initially cover ground fighting because of the vast scope of the Ukrainian front line and the difficulty of implementing it.

Macron said European countries would deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a later date and that "there will be no European troops on Ukrainian territory in the coming weeks." France and Britain have previously indicated their willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

French Foreign Minister Francois Barrot said in an interview with RTL radio on Monday that if Russia and Ukraine accept the cease-fire agreement, Ukraine and its Allies will be able to determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is acting in good faith and is willing to seriously negotiate a long-term peace agreement. But Britain and France have yet to agree on a cease-fire plan, according to British Armed Forces Minister Stephen Pollard.

Macron also suggested that European countries raise defense spending to 3.0-3.5 percent of gross domestic product in response to Russian military threats and shifts in U.S. policy. European Union leaders will hold a special summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Ukraine and European defense.

Earlier Sunday, Macron attended a summit on Ukraine in London. Host Starmer later told a news conference that Britain, France and other countries would work with Ukraine to develop a peace plan and present it to U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting agreed on four points: to continue providing military aid to Ukraine and to apply economic pressure on Russia; Achieving lasting peace requires ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and security, and Ukraine's participation in any peace negotiations; After a peace agreement is reached, Ukraine's defense capabilities should continue to be strengthened to deter any future aggression; Build a coalition of the willing committed to defending the peace agreement in Ukraine and guaranteeing peace.

Starmer said that Europe must bear the burden of peace in Ukraine, but at the same time, the peace agreement must be supported by the United States, Russia must also be part of it, but Moscow must not dictate the terms. Asked if the Trump administration was reliable, he said: "Nobody wants to see what happened last Friday, but I don't think the United States is an unreliable ally... We share President Trump's view of the urgent need for a lasting peace in Ukraine. Now we have to make it happen together."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the urgent need for Europe to rearm and show the United States that it is ready to defend democracy.

Zelensky said he was ready to sign a mineral deal with the United States

On Friday (February 28), Ukrainian President Zelensky openly quarreled with Trump and US Vice President Vance at the White House talks, and the two sides broke up on bad terms. Zelensky then traveled to Britain, where he will attend the London summit on Friday.

Zelensky said the London summit strengthened Europe's resolve to achieve peace. He stressed that there was never a day when Ukraine was not grateful for the support of the United States and pledged to intensify diplomatic efforts to maintain unity with Washington. He also said that if Trump invited him again to engage in constructive dialogue to solve practical problems, he would go.

Zelensky said the relationship between the United States and Ukraine could be salvageable, but said follow-up talks would have to be held behind closed doors. He also said Ukraine was ready to sign a mineral deal with the United States.

Russia dismissed the London summit as a failure and again accused some Western countries of seeking to prolong the war in Ukraine. Us Republicans also continued to attack Zelensky, calling for him to step down. U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Walz said Sunday the United States needs a Ukrainian leader who can talk to the United States and Russia and end the war. House of Representatives Speaker Jeh Johnson called on Zelensky to either "come to his senses and return to the negotiating table with gratitude, or let someone else lead the country."

Zelensky said it would not be easy to replace him as Ukraine's president in the current situation. He told British media Sunday: "It's not enough just to have an election. And you're gonna block me from running, which is gonna be a little hard. It seems you must negotiate with me." But he reiterated his willingness to resign in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO.