French President Macron called on Ukraine to realistically consider the territorial issue, as the war with Russia will not end soon.
“There will be no quick and easy solution in Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron said at the Elysee Palace on January 6. “The Ukrainian side needs to have realistic discussions on territorial issues.”
The French President did not specify what his “realistic thinking” was about Ukraine’s territorial issue, but seemed to imply that Kiev needed to seriously consider the possibility of taking back the lands that Russia is controlling by force. force. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once declared that he would retake these areas, but recently admitted that this was beyond the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
Mr. Macron also called on the US to help change the nature of the current war situation and persuade Russia to sit at the negotiating table. The French president added that Europe will also have to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but has not made any specific proposals on a ceasefire or peace agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in June 2024. Image: AFP
President Macron reminded Mr. Trump that America “has no chance of winning anything if Ukraine loses.” He also warned that Western countries would lose credibility if they compromised on the Ukraine issue because they were tired of the conflict.
“If Ukraine loses, it is not good for both Europe and America,” the French President said.
Russia currently controls 20% of Ukraine’s territory since launching its campaign in the country in February 2022. Moscow said it is willing to negotiate an end to the fighting, but will not accept giving up the four merged provinces.