Macron emphasizes the need to halt Russia for Europe's credibility

"If Russia wins this war, Europe's credibility will fall to zero. Could the Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, Romanians, and Bulgarians remain at peace for a second?" asked French President Emmanuel Macron during a television interview.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with TF1 and France 2, highlighted the importance of halting Russia's advances. “Our sole objective is clear. Russia cannot, and must not, win this war. We’ve been supporting Ukraine for the past two years. If the situation escalates, the blame will once again lie solely with Russia,” Macron stated.

He referred to the countries on Russia's doorstep, including Poland, emphasising their precarious positions.

“If Russia emerges victorious in this conflict, what would that say about the European Union's might and its members who let it happen? Could the Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, Romanians, and Bulgarians live peacefully for even a moment after? Not to mention Moldova, which isn’t a part of the European Union yet but would be directly threatened next,” he questioned.

When pressed by journalists on his remark about potentially deploying ground troops to Ukraine, Macron noted the West’s continuous efforts for peace since Russia's aggression began in 2014, which, regrettably, yielded no resolution.

“The current scenario is much more complex, and we must understand we cannot limit ourselves by drawing red lines for the aggressor,” Macron explained.

To a question on whether Russia is now considered an enemy of France, he clarified that it stands as an opponent. He further remarked on France's nuclear capability as a cornerstone of its security.

While stressing that France “will not initiate an offensive nor take the first step”, Macron underlined the significance of Russia's attack on Ukraine as bearing existential weight for both Europe and France.

“These are times when we must stand firm to ensure Russia does not prevail,” he added.

This Friday, Emmanuel Macron is set to attend the Weimar Triangle summit in Berlin, where he will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.

Source: TF1, France 2, PAP, WP News