The stationing of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, as proposed by Britain and France, in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, is a matter for Kiev to decide, not Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview.
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have stepped up efforts to consolidate military support for Ukraine as US President Donald Trump pushes forward with a peace deal with Russia.
Starmer held a virtual meeting with Macron and other Ukrainian allies on Saturday.
"Ukraine is sovereign. If it comes to the question of allied forces being on its territory, it should not be decided by Russia," Macron said in a joint interview with several French media outlets, published late Saturday.
Russia has rejected the idea of soldiers from NATO countries being stationed in Ukraine.
Macron has said that any peacekeeping force will consist of "thousands of troops from each country," who will be stationed in key locations, and that there are European countries and beyond that are interested in participating.
But, like other aspects of the potential ceasefire, little is known about how the peacekeeping force might be formed.
Britain and France have said they may send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his country is open to negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supports in principle Washington's proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that his forces will continue fighting until certain conditions are met.
Russia and Ukraine continued air strikes on each other on Sunday, causing significant damage.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.
The West has responded to Russia by hitting the country's economy with harsh sanctions.
As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes. REL (A2 Televizion)
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