French President Emmanuel Macron said he would host another meeting on Ukraine after talks between the new US administration and Russia, adding that Donald Trump "can resume a useful dialogue" with Vladimir Putin, AFP reports.

In an interview with French regional newspapers, Macron again seemed open to the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, but stressed that this could only be done on the most limited scale and away from conflict zones.

His wide-ranging comments came as President Trump stunned Europe by reversing U.S. policy nearly three years after Russia invaded Ukraine with renewed diplomacy with the Kremlin aimed at negotiating an end to the conflict.

"Trump is recreating strategic ambiguity for President Putin by using very tough words and creating uncertainty that can help pressure, Macron said.

The French president, who once spoke regularly with Putin but hasn't held talks with him since 2022, added that he himself is willing to speak with his Russian counterpart "when it is appropriate in the cycle of the upcoming negotiations."

He added that Paris was "not preparing to send ground troops to the front who are belligerent to the conflict" in Ukraine.

But France was considering, along with its ally Britain, sending "experts or even troops in limited conditions, outside any conflict zone."

"Such a step could support Ukrainians and show solidarity. We are thinking about this with the British," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is burning his European credentials even after Brexit, said London would be willing to send troops.

But Macron stressed that Washington's support was needed for future security guarantees for Kiev.

"Given that Russia is a country with nuclear potential, this is a key point for European partners," he said.

Macron also floated the idea of "deciding within the framework of the negotiations to conduct a UN-mandated peacekeeping operation along the front line."

He said the new talks would take place on 19 February "with several European and non-European countries", following an emergency meeting in Paris on 17 February that brought together a small number of key European countries.

The previous meeting was intended to show unity but was marred by tensions over the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, with Germany and Italy voicing strong objections to such a step.

Several smaller European countries, including Romania and the Czech Republic, were also reportedly outraged at not being invited, despite being strong supporters of Ukraine. | BGNES