France is unwilling to make concessions to Russia and wants Ukraine to win the war against Moscow’s invading forces by restoring its territorial integrity, a French presidential official has said, as Paris tries to allay concerns over its stance. , according to Reuters.
President Emanuel Macron has come under fire from Ukraine and its Eastern European allies following interviews in which he said it was vital not to “humiliate” Russia so that a diplomatic solution could be reached when the fighting was over.
“As the president said, we want a Ukrainian victory. We want to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” the official told reporters when asked about Macron’s comments.
Macron has spoken regularly with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the February 24 invasion as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire and start credible talks between Kiev and Moscow, although there has been no success on the French side.
“There is no concession to Putin or Russia in what the president is saying. When he speaks to him directly, it is not a compromise, but to say how we see things,” he said.
France is also ready to help with the access permit to the port of Odessa, where some of Ukraine’s grain stocks are ready to be exported, the official said.
“We are at the disposal of the parties to set up a business that will allow access to the port of Odessa with complete security,” the official said. The official did not specify what that assistance would be.
The Black Sea, where Odessa is located, is vital for the transportation of grain, oil and petroleum products.
Ukrainian government officials estimate that 20 million tons of grain could not travel from the country, which was the fourth largest exporter in the world before the Russian invasion.
Defending Macron’s position, the official said there should be a negotiated solution to the war. He added that Paris was a key supporter of sanctions and provided strong military support to Ukraine.
Some European partners say maintaining Macron’s dialogue with Putin undermines efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
Macron will travel to Romania and Moldova on June 14-15 to show France’s support for two of the countries most exposed to the events in Ukraine.
France has about 500 troops in Romania and has developed a surface-to-air missile system as part of a NATO battle group it leads there. The official said Macron would visit French troops to underscore Paris’s commitment to the alliance.
Macron has not gone to Kyiv to offer symbolic political support, as other EU leaders have done and as Ukraine wants. The presidential official did not rule out a visit to Macron.
Source: Capital
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