French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for continued pressure on Russia during his speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026. He asserted that Ukraine will not be defeated and that Moscow will eventually have to acknowledge its actions.
In his address, Macron outlined several key points regarding the ongoing conflict and European security:
- He expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, while noting that Russia continues to bombard civilian areas and destroy energy infrastructure, necessitating sustained pressure on the Kremlin.
- Macron criticized narratives suggesting Ukraine should accept defeat, stating, “When I hear defeatist rhetoric about Ukraine, it is a significant strategic error to overestimate Russia in this war. That is not reality.”
- He predicted that there will come a time when Russians will have to confront the scale of their crimes, asserting, “This time will come.”
- Macron highlighted that Europeans must be integral to any security guarantees or measures designed to ensure Ukraine’s prosperity and future.
- He announced a decision to establish a direct communication channel with Russia, emphasizing transparency for Ukraine, European partners, and American allies. He stated, “We will be part of the solution and must be part of the discussion, protecting our own European interests.”
- Even with a potential peace agreement, Macron noted that Europe’s geography will remain unchanged, with Russia continuing to be a neighbor equipped with a robust defense industry and an expanded military.
Following his speech, Macron participated in a Q&A session where Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko inquired about the possibility of a coalition sending troops to Ukraine without waiting for the war’s conclusion. Macron responded that deploying troops now would escalate the situation.
On January 6, leaders from Ukraine, France, and the UK—Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Keir Starmer—signed a Declaration of Intent regarding the deployment of multinational forces in Ukraine following a ceasefire.
Starmer also announced plans for the UK and France to establish military hubs across Ukraine and construct secure facilities for storing weapons and military equipment after the ceasefire.
Emmanuel Macron addressed the Munich Security Conference, advocating for sustained pressure on Russia and emphasizing the importance of European involvement in future security arrangements for Ukraine. He also discussed the need for direct communication with Russia and the implications of a potential ceasefire.
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