After a lengthy meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron hinted that a peace deal or ceasefire in Ukraine could be reached within weeks. He also shared details about his discussion with Trump and the expected outcomes.

Macron represented Europe in the meeting, as European nations have a shared security concern. Last week, he met with top European Union leaders in Paris while the United States and Russia discussed Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.

European leaders at the Paris meeting expressed fears that a direct US-Russia agreement on Ukraine might overlook Europe's security interests. They emphasised that any discussions about the Ukraine war must include Ukraine and Europe.

Donald Trump has stated that the Ukraine war, which has lasted three years, will come to an end within weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed his optimism, calling Trump's negotiation involvement a "game-changer." Macron noted that "he (Trump) knows how to re-engage with Russia with the full deterrence capacity of the US."

However, Macron also urged Trump to be cautious about agreeing with Moscow. He reflected on past experiences, "In 2014, we had a peace deal with Russia. I can tell you from personal experience since I was one of the two members along with the German representative, to follow up on the ceasefire. Russia grossly violated every single time - and none of us reacted collectively. So, the issue is of trust and credibility - how to ensure Russia does not do this again," he expressed in an interview with Fox News.

He also said, "For me, the sequence of the ceasefire agreement should be as follows - First, there should be a negotiation between the US and Russia and then the US and Ukraine. President Trump has announced today that he is willing to have a short-term meeting with Ukraine's President Zelensky - this is super important."

"A truce could actually happen in the weeks to come," he said, adding that "Truce has to be achieved on land, in the air, and at sea, and infrastructure (installed in Ukraine) - and Russia must respect it. If it doesn't, it will be clear that Moscow is not serious about a peace deal" and the sovereignty of Ukraine.

"During this period of time - when the truce is in place, we negotiate - on security guarantees (by Moscow), on land and territories (to reclaim or surrender), and it will be the responsibility of the Ukrainian President (to safeguard Kyiv's interest)," President Macron stated.

Macron stated that for the United States, Washington "will secure a deal on rare earth and other critical minerals." He assured France and the rest of Europe would be comfortable with this arrangement. Explaining its significance, he said securing such a mineral deal for Washington "is important because this would be the best way to guarantee that the US is also committed" and does not withdraw its support for Ukraine’s security and sovereignty.

He further explained that with all sides invested in upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, these strategic moves would ultimately lead to a peace agreement.

French President Emmanuel Macron raised a critical question, "But how can one guarantee that Russia will not violate this treaty in future?" He then provided his answer, acknowledging that "There is no consensus for NATO or having Ukraine join NATO," but warned that abandoning Ukraine again, as was done in the past, could lead to another Russian invasion.

"So, as a follow-up to the ceasefire, we need to see which type of security guarantee we need going forward. One can be to increase the capacity of Ukraine to maintain a very strong army (on the Russian front). The second option will be for France and the UK to work together on a proposal that the two nations will send combined troops to Ukraine - not to go to the frontline, not to go on confrontation, but to be stationed at locations agreed upon by the treaty that all parties approve of. The aim will be just to maintain a troops presence in Ukraine to keep a check on Russia's credibility. Of course, this will be with the backing of the US," he conveyed.

Regarding Europe's responsibility and cost-sharing, which President Trump has called "absent," President Macron replied, "We (Europe) are ready to take our fair share of the burden since it is in Europe. I have already spoken with around 30 European leaders and a lot of them are ready to be a part of such a defence structure. But Europe wants a guarantee and solidarity from the US that if there is a violation by Russia, and if Ukraine or Europe is attacked, then the US will back us."

"I discussed this with President Trump this morning, and he very clearly announced it. If we have this guarantee and solidarity from the US, then I think we have a deal," he stated.

As of February 24, the war in Ukraine has concluded its third year. The conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, while over six million have been displaced and are living as refugees in other countries. Military losses have been severe, though exact figures remain undisclosed. The estimated cost of rebuilding Ukraine’s economy after Russia’s invasion has surged to $524 billion, almost three times the country’s projected economic output for 2024.