French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not want to see Russia collapse after losing the war in Ukraine.
President Macron said in an interview with French media, “I have urged Western countries to increase military aid to Ukraine, and (I) are preparing for a long war.”
“I want Russia to be defeated in Ukraine, and I want Ukraine to be able to defend its position,” Macron said.
However, he attacked those who said they wanted to extend the war across Russia to “crush” the country.
The comments came as world leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference, which observed promises to accelerate arms supplies to Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia.
In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD, Sunday newspaper), President Macron said, “I don’t think we should aim for complete defeat of Russia, as some people do.”
“Those observers want to crush Russia above all else. It has never been France’s position and it will never be our position.”
At the Munich Security Conference, which opened in Germany on the 17th, President Macron insisted that now is not the time to talk with Russia.
However, he did not shy away from citing peace talks as the ultimate goal.
Macron suggested that Ukraine’s military efforts, backed by its allies, were “the only way to bring Russia back to the negotiating table and establish lasting peace.”
He also dismissed the possibility of regime change in Russia, describing similar efforts around the world as “complete failures”.
Despite Macron’s comments, a peace deal is a distant prospect for Ukrainian leaders.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleva welcomed the decision not to invite Russia to the Munich Security Conference on the 17th.
“As long as terrorist states use bombs, missiles and tanks as an argument in international politics, Russian leaders should not be invited to the summit,” Kuleba said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out immediate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming there was “no trust” between the parties. In an interview with the BBC earlier this week, he dismissed the idea of giving up territory to sign a peace agreement with Russia.
Macron has previously been criticized by some NATO allies for sending mixed messages about Ukraine.
In June of last year, Macron drew criticism from Minister Kuleva for saying that it was “important” for Russia to “not be humiliated by aggression.”
At the time, Kuleba responded by calling for the need to put a “humiliated” Russia in its place.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.