Speaking at an annual conference of French ambassadors to outline their strategy for the coming year, Macron's comments were the first time he had suggested that Kyiv should consider a position beyond seeking to regain all territory seized by Russia.
He reiterated, however, that a Russian victory in Ukraine was not in Europe’s interests.
“We cannot, as Europeans, let Russia win in Ukraine,” Macron was quoted by Reuters as saying. “We cannot do it for the international order, we cannot do it for our own security.”
He said a way must be found to secure a peace that is desirable for Ukraine and at the same time “find the ways and means to manage this Russian threat for all of us, Europeans."
“No solution should be found in Ukraine without the Ukrainians,” he added. “No solution should be found for security in Europe without the Europeans.”
America’s role
Macron said Washington, too, had nothing to gain from a Russian victory and that the role of the incoming Trump administration should be to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
But he cautioned: “No quick solution that would mean the capitulation of Ukraine can be good for the Europeans and the Americans."
“The United States of America has to help us change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table,” he said. “The Ukrainians have to bring realistic discussions on territorial issues and only they can lead them."
The French president insisted that France is a “solid ally” of the U.S. and one that “believes in Europe and carries a lucid ambition for the transatlantic relationship,” the Associated Press reported.
