French President Macron Urges Defeat of Russia in Ukraine for Europe’s Security
In a powerful statement, French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the importance of defeating Russia in Ukraine for the sake of Europe’s security. Speaking in Paris, Macron revealed that European leaders had agreed to establish a coalition to provide Ukraine with medium- and long-range missiles and bombs. While there is no consensus on sending Western troops to Ukraine, Macron asserted that nothing should be excluded.
The urgency of the situation stems from recent gains made by Russian troops in Ukraine, which is grappling with significant arms shortages. Kyiv relies heavily on modern weaponry supplies from its Western allies, particularly the United States, to continue its fight against Russia—a formidable military force with an abundance of artillery ammunition. However, the approval of a much-needed $95 billion US aid package, including $61 billion for Ukraine, faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives.
Ukraine’s defense minister recently revealed that half of all Western aid for Kyiv has been delayed, resulting in the loss of lives and territory. The conflict, now in its third year, shows no signs of abating, with Russian President Vladimir Putin leading a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimates that 31,000 troops have been killed in the war—the largest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
To address this crisis, a high-level meeting was held in Paris with the participation of heads of European states, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and top government officials like UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Delegations from the United States and Canada were also present. President Macron declared, “We are convinced that the defeat of Russia is indispensable to security and stability in Europe.” He clarified that their fight was not against the Russian people but against their aggression.
Macron further announced that the coalition would provide Ukraine with medium- and long-range missiles and bombs to carry out deep strikes. However, he did not specify when these weapons would be delivered. While the possibility of sending Western ground troops to Ukraine was not ruled out, differences among the allies remained. Macron stated, “There was no consensus today to send troops on to the ground in any official, assumed, and endorsed manner. But on the dynamic, nothing should be excluded. We will do everything so that Russia cannot win this war.”
The response from other European leaders varied. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala made it clear that his country had no intention of deploying its forces to fight in Ukraine. This statement came in response to comments by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who suggested that some countries were prepared to send their own troops to Ukraine, while others firmly rejected the idea. Ukrainian President Zelensky, who participated in the meeting via video link, expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing that defending against Russian aggression would enhance the security of nations for decades to come.
Russia has repeatedly warned that any Western troop deployment in Ukraine would trigger a direct conflict between Moscow and the NATO military alliance. The situation remains tense as the international community grapples with finding a resolution to the conflict.
In conclusion, President Macron’s call for defeating Russia in Ukraine highlights the critical importance of Europe’s security. The establishment of a coalition to provide Ukraine with missiles and bombs demonstrates a united front against Russian aggression. While the deployment of Western ground troops remains uncertain, the commitment to preventing Russia’s victory in this war is resolute. As the conflict persists, it is crucial for international allies to stand together and support Ukraine in its fight for stability and security in Europe.
