THE Ukrainian chairman Volodymyr Zelensky stressed to French his counterpart Emanuel Macron how he doubts whether there is meaning (benefit) in the dialogue with him Russian president Vladimir Putin for the end of the war.
“I am not sure there is a chance that the president of the Russian Federation will be ready to hear anything.”said Zelensky in a press conference in Kyiv with European leaders, Emanuel, Macron, Olaf Solts and Mario Draghi.
“At the moment (Vladimir Putin) seems to be making decisions first and then talking to anyone. It’s not just about Emanuel (Macron), I’m not sure there are leaders in the world today who could individually force Russia to end the war. »said Zelensky in response to a reporter’s question about the wave of criticism triggered – especially in Ukraine – by Macron’s statement “Do not humiliate Russia”.
The French president is one of the few leaders to have had regular talks with the Kremlin strongman. Emanuel Macron did not rule out the possibility of re-discussing with Vladimir Putin if necessary. “When windows of opportunity open, the pressure to restart the talks would be helpful”he said and stressed that the war must end.
However, he reiterated that it was up to the Ukrainian government to decide on the details of a peace agreement. “Germany, like France, will never be able to negotiate with Russia on behalf of Ukraine. We have never done that, we have not made any concessions or we have not negotiated any concessions “Macron clarified.
Ukraine will have to decide for itself whether or not to accept any territorial concessions to Russia with a view to ending the war, Macron later said in an interview with French television.
“It is up to Ukraine to decide,” Macron said when asked about any concessions, including territorial ones, that Ukraine would accept, adding: “I think it is our duty to defend our values, international law and, consequently, Ukraine.”.
The leaders of Germany, France and Italy – who have been criticized in the past by Kyiv for their “cautious” stance – visited Ukraine and hoped for rapid EU membership in a country that is persistently seeking weapons systems to repel Russian invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly made it clear that his country will not cede territory occupied by the Russian military.
Macron: “Europe’s duty to stand by the Ukrainian people”
In these difficult times for the Ukrainian people, the task of France and Europe is to tell the Ukrainians that we are here by your side. This was stated by French President Emanuel Macron in an interview given today by Ukraine to the French television station TF1.
Asked if he wished Russia a military defeat, the French president said he hoped Ukraine would be able to defend its territory, regain its freedom and independence. Asked if any concessions should be made to the Russian side, Macron said it was up to Ukraine to decide. “It is our duty to stand by it and by international law,” he said. He also said that Ukraine should be helped to withstand a lasting war. He said, however, that at some point there would have to be either a military defeat or a diplomatic exit.
Emanuel Macron also said that his relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have not cooled down. He noted, however, that there were many who did not understand or did not want to understand the reasons why he continues to talk to President Putin. Asked if he intends to go to Russia, he said that today the conditions for such a thing are not met. However, he noted that he would continue to talk to Putin, mainly on humanitarian issues but also on food security issues.
On the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the EU, he said that a strong message should be given to the Ukrainians that Europe is now ready to recognize the status of candidate country. He said, however, that there would be a “roadmap” for full membership to be determined by the European Commission.
On the issue of lifting the embargo imposed by Russia on cereal exports from Ukraine, Macron said that exports can be made mainly through the port of Odessa, noting that both the Russians and and the Ukrainians but also that Turkey also has a special role to play in the Black Sea.
Finally, when asked about the internal affairs of France and in particular whether his recent statement that “a French one should not be added to international disorder” means that he is asking the French for an absolute majority in the National Assembly, Macron said that the world is going through a critical period, that we do not know when the war will end and that in order for France to play its rightful role in the international political arena it must be able to make extremely important decisions in these extremely difficult times.
Source: News Beast
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