Solving the problem of Ukraine can’t be done solely by pressuring Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference ahead of Paris taking over the rotating presidency of the European Council.
At the Thursday press conference, Macron addressed the Ukrainian crisis. He said that Europe should be near Kiev but that Vladimir Putin is the real winner. “many keys to the situation”In eastern Ukraine. Macron said that he will discuss the matter with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, and Putin within the next few days.
The French president argued that it was the ‘Normandy format’ of talks hosted by France and Germany that helped halt the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine.
“Our desire is contact with President Zelensky, whom I will see on Wednesday, and in contact with President Putin, with whom I will negotiate next week, to restart this format and the political process,”Macron spoke.
He also thanked Joe Biden, the US president for video calling Putin on Tuesday. However, he noted that Washington’s involvement does not negate European diplomatic efforts.
“I think this coordination will not replace the format that exists. President Biden himself noted in the communique the importance of the Normandy format,”Macron spoke.
Thursday’s press conference was called ahead of France assuming the six-month presidency of the European Council in January. Macron’s publicly stated goals for the term are to achieve “strategic sovereignty”Both in military and economic terms, the EU.
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