Macron: EU’s Stance on Ukraine in Talks with Russia Must Be Firm and United

The European side should conduct a comprehensive dialogue in relations with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a discussion to mark the launch of the Atlantic Council’s Europe Centre.

“In these very sensitive regions – I mean Ukraine and Belarus – we need a political discussion with Russia… When I see the results of the previous strategy for Ukraine, as well as the current one for Belarus, these results are not positive. We need to restore the principles of our discussion with respect to these countries,” the French President said.

At the same time, Macron calls for a firm stance on the issue of Ukraine, as well as the detention of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

“For various reasons, mainly due to Russia’s aggression, as well as NATO enlargement, we have created a situation where our borders have moved eastward, but this has not reduced the level of conflict and threats on these borders. I believe that it is necessary to clearly formulate common approaches to building peace and security across the continent in the coming decades,” Macron said.

Natalia Tolub