French President Emmanuel Macron has characterized Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, as an adversary and warned that if Russia were to defeat Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict, it would not stop there. Macron urged European nations to avoid being perceived as weak and to prepare to respond effectively.
In a television interview aimed primarily at a domestic audience, Macron emphasized the importance of European credibility, stating that if Russia were to emerge victorious in the war, Europe's credibility would be severely diminished. He disputed opposition leaders who criticized his remarks as bellicose, asserting that abstaining or voting against support for Ukraine would not lead to peace but to defeat.
Macron refrained from providing details on potential deployments to Ukraine, stressing the need for Russia to halt its aggression and withdraw from occupied territories. He avoided drawing explicit red lines, arguing that doing so would signal weakness to the Kremlin. Despite labeling the Kremlin regime as an adversary, Macron stopped short of calling Russia an enemy, emphasizing that France was not at war with Moscow.
While acknowledging the challenging situation in Ukraine, Macron underscored the necessity of stronger support from allies and reiterated France's commitment to peace negotiations, expressing hope for future dialogue with a Russian leadership beyond Putin.
Macron also dismissed Russia's claims that he had canceled a planned visit to Ukraine due to security concerns, emphasizing the importance of not believing Russian assertions. Overall, Macron's statements reflect a nuanced approach aimed at balancing firmness against Russian aggression with a commitment to diplomatic solutions and peace negotiations.
