French President Emmanuel Macron during a speech at the Munich Security Conference, February 17, 2023.
Paris – French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French media on Saturday that he wishes Russia to be defeated in the war against Ukraine, but he does not want Russia to be crushed. BBC News reported about it today. According to him, Macron at the same time called on Western countries to increase military support for Kiev, and stated that he is ready for a protracted war.
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“I want Russia to be defeated in Ukraine and for Ukraine to be able to defend its positions,” Macron said in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche. At the same time, he criticized those who wish to extend the war to Russian territory with the aim of “crushing” Russia.
“Unlike some people, I do not think that we must aim for the total defeat of Russia, attacks on Russia on its own soil,” Macron said. “These people above all want to crush Russia. France has never taken such a position and it will never be its position,” he added.
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Macron emphasized that dialogue with Russia is now impossible but conversations should be the ultimate goal. Allied support for the Ukrainian struggle is the only way to “force Russia to return to the negotiating table and establish a lasting peace”.
Macron also rejected the possibility of regime change in Russia, declaring that similar efforts in the world have ended “a complete failure”.
Before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Macron held many hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He remained one of the few Western leaders who maintained direct contact with Putin.
