Starmer, Macron applaud Trump for seeking peace between Ukraine and Russia

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the attitude and initiatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to reach peace between Russia and Ukraine and put an end to a conflict that is entering its third year.

The top leaders of two of the main European powers held a telephone meeting in which they again agreed that the objective remains to support and defend Ukraine in this war. They also highlighted Trump's work as a mediator in the conflict.

"We reaffirmed our commitment to working together toward the conditions for a lasting and solid peace in Ukraine and for Europe’s security," Macron wrote in a post on social media just after chatting with Starmer.

From London, the British government replied to Macron's words: "Both reiterated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations and that the UK and Europe are ready to play their part."

The French leader was in Washington, D.C., this week. In the nation's capital, Macron went to the White House, where he met with Trump. The main topic of the conversation was the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the U.S. president made it clear to his French counterpart that, if they continue on the current trajectory, the war could end "in a few weeks."

Faced with a request to include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in negotiations with Vladimir Putin, Trump said Kiev "must be involved" in the talks if it wants to end the war.

After meeting with Macron, Starmer will be next. The British prime minister will travel to the United States this Thursday for talks with Trump at the White House.