Emmanuel Macron

Russia rejects Western security guarantees for Ukraine after coalition pledges force

Russia rejected the notion of Western security guarantees for Ukraine on Friday, after more than two dozen countries pledged to join a "reassurance" force to deploy in the war torn country after any eventual peace deal with Moscow. On Friday morning, Putin said any Western troops in Ukraine would be target for Russian army. A force to deter ...

Israel FM Says No Macron Visit Unless France Drops Palestinian State Recognition

Israel's foreign minister said Thursday that his government would not agree to a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron so long as Paris plans to recognize a Palestinian state. A statement from Israel's foreign ministry said Gideon Saar told France's top diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot in a phone call that "there is no room" ...

Macron Says 26 Countries Pledge Ukraine Post-War Security

Twenty-six countries have offered to contribute to Ukraine's security after any ceasefire deal with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said after a summit on Thursday, adding that US support would be finalized in coming days. A summit of Kyiv "coalition of the willing" allies to firm up security guarantees if or when there is a peace deal ...

Zelensky Meets European Leaders on Ukraine Security Guarantees

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were meeting in Paris on Thursday to agree security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a peace accord with Russia to end the three-and-a-half-year war sparked by Moscow's 2022 invasion. The guarantees by the so-called coalition of the willing, which remain under wraps but are ...

NATO Chief Expects 'Clarity' Soon on Europe's Contribution to Ukraine Guarantees

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that he expected talks between European leaders in Paris to firm up plans on security guarantees for Ukraine, and pave the way to get a clearer picture on US involvement. "Tomorrow will be an important meeting, so I expect tomorrow, or soon after tomorrow, to have clarity on what collectively we can deliver," ...

Macron: Israeli 'Annexation' Cannot Halt Push for Palestinian State Recognition

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Israel cannot stop a push towards the recognition of a Palestinian state through its expanded offensive in Gaza or by annexing more Palestinian territory. France is one of several countries planning to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, with Belgium ...

Zelensky to Talk Security Guarantees with Key Allies in Paris

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet European leaders in Paris on Thursday to discuss security guarantees to prevent Russian attacks if a peace deal with Moscow is reached, his office said. The Ukrainian leader was set to meet EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister ...

Le Drian in Beirut to Prepare Lebanon Conferences

French presidential envoy and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected in Beirut within days. He has been tasked by President Emmanuel Macron with following up on Lebanon’s political and economic developments. His mission will center on preparing two international conferences: one aimed at supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction, and ...

US to Refuse Visas to Palestinian Officials at UN Summit on State

The United States said Friday it will deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority to attend next month's UN General Assembly, where France is leading a push to recognize a Palestinian state. The extraordinary step further aligns President Donald Trump's administration with Israel's government, which adamantly rejects a Palestinian state ...

France, Germany to Provide More Air Defense to Ukraine

France and Germany will provide more air-defense hardware for Ukraine after "massive" Russian airstrikes in recent days, the key EU members said in a joint statement Friday. "France and Germany will provide additional air defense to Ukraine," they said, after President Emmanuel Macron hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for a visit to the ...

Macron Announces Two Conferences to Support Lebanese Army and National Reconstruction

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on X on Friday that two major conferences will be held by the end of the year to support Lebanon: one focused on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), described as the “pillar of national sovereignty,” and a second dedicated to the country’s recovery and reconstruction. Macron said his personal envoy, ...

Security Council Grants Final Extension of UNIFIL’s Mandate

The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until December 31, 2026, setting in motion a final withdrawal of the peacekeeping force by the end of 2027. For the first time, the resolution introduces a clear timetable for winding down UNIFIL’s presence. France ...