European nations prepare to deploy troops for Ukraine-Russia truce, says French Finance Minister #FrenchFinance

26th February 2025 – (Paris) French Finance Minister Éric Lombard has indicated that France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other European nations are prepared to deploy troops to uphold a truce between Russia and Ukraine. In an interview with Bloomberg, he expressed optimism that the United States would support European forces in maintaining peace following a ceasefire agreement.

Lombard emphasised the necessity of US backing for any ceasefire to be respected, stating, “I believe the Americans have agreed to do that.” This statement follows his recent discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington, where they met with American officials, including President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, to address issues surrounding Ukraine and trade.

“We discussed all the issues, trade, tariffs, non-tariff barriers. We agreed to continue to talk, which is a step forward,” Lombard remarked. He noted that he and Bessent exchanged contact information and planned to reconvene in April during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington.

Lombard’s comments come as he participates in a G20 financial leaders’ meeting, from which the US and Argentina have opted out following a public dispute between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over domestic land laws and the Gaza conflict.

French officials have conveyed that Lombard aims to reaffirm France’s commitment to multilateralism and to demonstrate European unity in light of Trump’s criticisms of the global order established by US-led institutions. Notably, the US has withdrawn from several key agreements, including the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Emmanuel Macron previously stated that a potential truce should serve as the initial step in the peace process. He proposed that negotiations occur between the US and both Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that a resolution could be achieved in the coming weeks. The French president also called for the United States to stand in solidarity with European allies should hostilities cease.