French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the necessity for European leaders to participate in negotiations regarding Ukraine, asserting that their absence would hinder the prospect of peace.
“There is no peace without Europeans. I want to be very clear: you can negotiate without Europeans if you wish, but it will not bring peace to the negotiating table,” Macron stated.
He argued that Europe must re-establish diplomatic channels with Russia, rather than relying predominantly on the United States for negotiations.
Macron highlighted Europe’s contributions to Ukraine, noting that the continent has strengthened its support for the war-torn nation and unified a coalition in its favor. He remarked, “When I hear defeatist rhetoric about Ukraine, when I hear some leaders urging Ukraine to accept defeat while inflating Russia’s price in this war, it is a huge strategic mistake, because it is not reality.”
The French president stressed that the European Union must ensure that any resolution protects Ukraine and maintains European security. He added that the agreement should reflect Russia’s motivations to prevent future aggression and avoid setting a catastrophic example for the rest of the world.
Macron also underscored the importance of establishing “rules of coexistence” with Russia post-war. He noted that European security dynamics with Russia have often been dictated by outdated agreements made without European participation.
“We must be the ones leading negotiations on this new security architecture for Europe moving forward, as our geography will not change,” he said. Additionally, Macron called for a series of consultations on this critical issue, mentioning that preliminary discussions have already taken place with Germany and the United Kingdom.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for European leaders to engage in negotiations regarding Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of their involvement for achieving peace. He also highlighted the need for Europe to establish diplomatic relations with Russia and to create a new security framework for the continent post-conflict.