French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine must begin with a complete and unconditional ceasefire.

Axar.az reports that in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Macron reflected on his visit to Kyiv, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people:

"Back in Kyiv, my first thoughts go to the Ukrainian people. For more than three years, you have stood with admirable courage."

He noted that France, along with its allies, has been working on a peace framework through high-level meetings in Paris, London, and now Kyiv. Macron underscored that the response to Russia’s aggression must be collective, which is why he visited Kyiv together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The French leader outlined three key messages from his visit:

"A just and lasting peace begins with a full and unconditional ceasefire. That is the proposal we are advancing with the United States. Ukraine accepted it on March 11. Russia, however, delays, sets preconditions, plays for time, and continues its war of invasion."

Macron warned that if Moscow continues to obstruct the peace initiative, European nations—alongside the United States—will intensify pressure on Russia through increased coordination.

He also welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent support for the ceasefire proposal.

It should be noted that Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk arrived in Kyiv on May 10 as part of a coordinated diplomatic effort to bolster Ukraine’s position in the peace process.