2 weeks Ago By RFI
France has responded with marked scepticism to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent call for an Easter truce in Ukraine, branding it a superficial gesture aimed more at appeasing Washington than paving the way for genuine peace. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has dismissed Putin's Easter ceasefire in Ukraine as a "marketing operation" designed to keep US President Donald Trump onside, as peace talks continue to falter. Speaking to FranceInfo radio on Tuesday, Barrot said the so-called truce was a "charm operation" intended to prevent Trump from growing "impatient and angry".
The truce, hastily declared and swiftly violated with fresh Russian aerial assaults, has only deepened European doubts about Moscow’s sincerity. "The United States encouraged Kiev to go further by suggesting a 30-day general ceasefire. The Ukrainians accepted, and now it's up to Vladimir Putin to accept the same principle," Barrot explained.
'Red lines' with Washington While the fragile lull in hostilities saw a brief reduction in drone and missile attacks, it did little to bolster confidence ahead of renewed negotiations set for Wednesday in London. The upcoming talks will bring together representatives from Ukraine, France the UK, and the United States, following last week’s high-stakes meeting in Paris that included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Amid mounting frustration, European powers are taking a firmer stance.
Read more on RFI English Read also: Macron to meet Trump aides in Paris for talks on Ukraine ceasefire Macron, EU leaders slam Russian strike on Ukrainian city of Sumy France and UK rally allies for potential security force in Ukraine.
