French President calls on Europe not to be weak towards Russia

French President Macron warned that Russia would not stop if it defeated Ukraine, calling on Europe not to be "weak" and ready to respond.

"If Russia wins this conflict, Europe's prestige will drop to zero," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a television interview on March 14, after opposition leaders criticized him for being belligerent.

Macron said he "strongly disagreed" with opposition leaders. "The decision to abstain or vote against supporting Ukraine is not to choose peace but to choose defeat," the French leader stressed.

French President Emmanuel Macron in a television interview on March 14. Photo: AFP — French President Emmanuel Macron in a television interview on March 14. Photo: *AFP*

President Macron sparked controversy last month when he said he could not rule out the possibility of deploying ground forces in Ukraine in the future, surprising many Western leaders. Some countries have spoken out against the idea, but others, particularly in Eastern Europe, have expressed support.

The French National Rally, the far-right opposition party of Marine Le Pen, abstained in parliament earlier this week on a security pact France signed with Ukraine, while the left-wing France Unbowed voted against the pact.

"If the conflict spreads to Europe, Russia will be responsible," President Macron declared. "But if we decide to be weak, if today we decide not to respond, that is a choice of failure. And I don't want that."

The main problem, he said, was that Europe had not drawn “red lines”, which would show how weak it was in the face of the Kremlin and encourage Russia to continue its military campaign in Ukraine.

However, the French president refused to provide details on how the deployment to Ukraine would take place. "I don't want to reveal. I want Russia to stop this conflict and withdraw, creating conditions for peace," he said. "I will not give information to someone who does not give me anything. This is a question for President Putin."

President Macron also warned that Ukraine was in a "difficult" situation on the battlefield and needed stronger support from its allies.

“Peace does not mean Ukraine’s surrender,” he said. “Wanting peace does not mean defeat. Wanting peace does not mean abandoning Ukraine.”

The French leader also said he hoped peace talks with a Russian president would one day take place, "no matter who that is".

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters )

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