French foreign minister warns of heightened war risk in Europe amid US-Ukraine tensions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned Monday that the risk of war in Europe has reached unprecedented levels, noting that the front line has steadily moved closer to the continent over the past 15 years.

Speaking in an interview with France Inter, Barrot emphasized that Europe now faces significant geopolitical threats, a situation exacerbated by recent tensions between the United States and Ukraine.

Barrot’s remarks follow a high-profile public exchange at the White House, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to negotiations with Russia. The contentious encounter has raised concerns about the future of U.S. support for Kyiv and the overall unity of the transatlantic alliance.

“The risk of war on the European continent, in the European Union, has never been so high because for almost 15 years, the threat has continued to move closer to us,” Barrot said. He added that the unfolding events have served as a wake-up call for many European leaders, urging them to confront the stark realities of the region’s security challenges.

Despite the growing threats, Barrot reaffirmed France’s commitment to achieving a stable and lasting peace. “We want peace, but a solid peace and a lasting peace,” he stressed, highlighting that diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing three-year conflict in Ukraine remain a top priority. Barrot also pointed out that discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Trump have been frequent, underscoring France’s active engagement with key international partners.

In a related development, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hosted a summit in London on Sunday, announced that European leaders have agreed to draft a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States. French President Macron later told Le Figaro that the proposed plan would include a one-month ceasefire covering air and sea attacks, though ground combat operations would remain unaffected.

As Europe grapples with the escalating risk of conflict, these statements underscore an urgent call among European leaders to secure robust peace and security guarantees not only for Ukraine but for the entire continent. Diplomatic channels continue to remain open, as efforts intensify to navigate a path toward lasting stability in an increasingly volatile region.

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