In recent weeks, the international community’s attention has once again turned to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the context of the devastating attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Speaking in New York, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and the US plan to work together to secure a moratorium on such strikes. This statement was made following his meeting with US President Donald Trump, which Macron described on social media platform X.
Macron emphasised that protecting critical infrastructure in the Middle East and ensuring free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remain priorities, but the situation in Ukraine requires special attention. The French leader called for immediate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, emphasising the importance of protecting the civilian population.
Donald Trump has so far refrained from commenting on his meeting with Macron, though he had previously spoken of the global consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In particular, he highlighted the rise in diesel prices, which, in his view, is a result of the war and not solely due to the tense situation surrounding Iran.
Interestingly, as early as 14 September, Trump mentioned an alleged agreement reached between Ukraine and Russia to refrain from strikes on energy facilities. Despite this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to cease attacks only on condition that international partners could guarantee Russia’s compliance with the agreements.
Against the backdrop of these statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also spoke in favour of a possible energy truce, although he had previously been sceptical about such a possibility, describing the energy sector as Ukraine’s Achilles’ heel.
The situation remains complex, and international diplomacy is playing a key role in the search for a peaceful resolution to one of the most acute conflicts of our time.