Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine War
Emmanuel Macron maintains a firm stance in support of Ukraine following the full-scale Russian invasion, consistently backing Kyiv's right to defend itself.
He has characterized Russia's actions in Ukraine as "imperialism and colonialism" and stressed the "duty" of France and other nations to provide assistance.
Concurrently, President Macron has pursued a policy of maintaining channels of communication with Vladimir Putin, believing that a point for peace negotiations may eventually arrive, while also pushing for increased European sovereignty and defense.
Context
Emmanuel Macron's role as President of France places him as a key player in the European Union's response to the Ukraine War.
France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a major European military power, giving his diplomatic and military support significant weight within NATO and the EU.
His long-standing emphasis on European strategic autonomy informs his approach, seeking to ensure European security is less reliant on the United States, especially in a protracted conflict.
Timeline
- During his re-election campaign following the invasion, Emmanuel Macron called on European leaders to maintain dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Macron stated that nations remaining neutral in the war made a historic mistake and were complicit in a 'new imperialism,' signaling strong condemnation of non-alignment.
- Macron criticized friendly natural gas suppliers, including the US and Norway, for excessively high prices paid by Europeans.
- Macron suggested that negotiating with Putin might eventually take priority over pursuing war crimes tribunals for Russian actions.
- President Macron described Russia's actions as 'imperialism and colonialism' and affirmed France's duty to help Ukraine defend itself, while noting the time for peace negotiations might come.
- Macron generated controversy by suggesting the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine during a meeting with other European states.
- Macron characterized Russia as an 'existential threat' to Europe and hosted a meeting to coordinate European responses.
Actions Taken
- Diplomatic visit and statementVisited Ukraine alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi to express "European Unity" for Ukraine.
- Military aid commitmentPromised to deliver more ammunition, weapons, and armed vehicles to aid Ukrainian forces during their counter-offensive.
- Military aid commitmentPromised to supply Ukraine with Scalp long-range cruise missiles to target Russian positions deep behind the front lines.
- Authorization for use of military equipmentGave Ukraine permission to use SCALP EG missiles against specific military sites on Russian soil, limited to neutralizing sites from which attacks originate.
- European coordination meetingConvened a special meeting in Paris under the Weimar+ framework to coordinate European responses after characterizing Russia as an "existential threat" to Europe.
Key Quotes
Russia belongs fully within a Europe of values.
The reality is that Europe is not experiencing a migration crisis of the same magnitude as the one it experienced in 2015... The crisis we are experiencing today in Europe is a political crisis.
What Russia is doing in Ukraine is imperialism and colonialism... it is our duty to help Ukraine defend itself.
We are accusing RT (formerly known as Russia Today) and Sputnik News (of being) the first source of false information shared about our candidate ...
Sources5
- On 16 June 2022, Macron visited Ukraine alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi. He met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed "European Unity" for Ukraine. He said that the nations that remained neutral in the Russo-Ukrainian War made a historic mistake and were complicit in the new imperialism.
- On 12 June 2023, Macron promised to deliver more ammunition, weapons and armed vehicles to help Ukrainian forces with the ongoing counter-offensive to liberate Russian-occupied southeastern Ukraine. At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, he promised to supply Ukraine with Scalp long-range cruise missiles to hit Russian targets deep behind the front lines.
- On 10 November 2023, he said that what Russia is doing in Ukraine is "imperialism and colonialism" and it was the "duty" of France and other countries to help Ukraine defend itself, but added that maybe the time will come to hold fair peace negotiations and find a solution with Russia.
- On 28 May 2024, Macron gave Ukraine permission to use SCALP EG missiles against targets on Russian soil. Such usage was instructed to be limited "to neutralize military sites from which missiles are being fired, military sites from which Ukraine is being attacked".
- In February 2025, Macron characterised Russia as an "existential threat" to Europe, convening a special meeting in Paris to coordinate European responses under the Weimar+ framework.
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.