We (France) do not want total defeat of Russia: President Macron

Munich, Feb 20: French President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants to defeat Russia in Ukraine - but does not want to 'crush' the nation on its own soil. Macron has criticized some NATO allies for delivering mixed messages regarding his policy on the war between Ukraine and Russia. Some consider Paris a weak link in the Western alliance.

 

 

 

'I want Russia to be defeated in Ukraine, and I want Ukraine to be able to defend its position,' he told French media in an interview published on Saturday. But he added that France's position had 'never' been for a 'total defeat' of Russia.

 

 

 

'I do not think, as some people do, that we must aim for a total defeat of Russia, attacking Russia on its own soil,' he told the paper Le Journal du Dimanche. 'Those observers want to, above all else, crush Russia. That has never been the position of France and it will never be our position.' On Friday, Macron urged allies to step up military support for Ukraine at the security conference in Munich - which ends today after the three-day meeting saw world leaders discuss the ongoing war. Macron urged allies to 'intensify our support' for Ukraine to aid its forces in launching a counter-offensive as he appeared to toughen his stance towards Moscow.

 

Also Read: Crimea is a red line for Russia: Antony Blinken 

 

'The time is not for dialogue with Russia,' he said. 'We absolutely need to intensify our support and effort to the resistance of the Ukrainian people and its army and help them launch a counter-offensive which alone can allow credible negotiations, determined by Ukraine, its authorities and its people.'