France and the UK are proposing a one-month truce "in the air, on the seas and on energy infrastructure" in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on his way to the summit.

Speaking to France's Le Figaro newspaper, Macron also suggested that European countries should boost their defense spending to between 3 and 3.5% of GDP — a much higher target than the existing 2% NATO target — in light of shifting US foreign policy priorities. 

"For three years, the Russians have spent 10 percent of their GDP on defense," said Macron. "So we have to prepare for what's next."

He also said that "there will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks."

"The question is how we use this time to try to secure an achievable ceasefire, with negotiations that will last several weeks and then a deployment of troops once peace is signed," Macron added.

The French president stressed that "we want peace," but not "at any price, without guarantees."