“Russia should not win in Ukraine”

The French President once again refers to the possibility of sending Western forces to the territory of Ukraine in the context of a scenario in which Moscow breaks the front lines and Kiev requests help.

“If the Russians break the front lines, if there is a Ukrainian demand — which is not the case today — we will have to ask ourselves that question,” Emmanuel Macron stated in an interview with The Economist.

He added, “If we rule this out in advance, it will look like we have not learned the lessons of the past two years,” when NATO countries initially ruled out sending tanks and planes to Ukraine, only to be forced to change their minds.

He added: “As I said, I do not rule out anything, because we are dealing with a person who does not rule out anything,” referring to Vladimir Putin. “There is no doubt that we were very reluctant to set limits on our actions against someone who has no limits and is an aggressor.”

“I have a clear strategic goal: Russia cannot win in Ukraine. If Russia wins in Ukraine, we will no longer have security in Europe. And who can claim that Russia will stop there? What security will the neighboring countries, Moldova have? Romania, Poland, Lithuania and many others? Finally, what credibility do the Europeans have who have spent billions, who have said that the security of the continent is at stake, and who have not given themselves the necessary means to stop Russia and therefore, yes, we should not rule anything out?

Emmanuel Macron also warned of the rise of nationalists in Europe, saying they are “all secretly pro-Brexit” and “holding the continent hostage” with “the same rhetoric of lies.”

“The national ultimatum (of Marine Le Pen’s leadership) wanted to get out of Europe, from the euro, from everything,” he said. “Now he is no longer saying anything.” Emmanuel Macron stated in his interview with The Economist five weeks before the European elections: “He is winning from Europe because He wants to destroy her without saying anything.”

“It's like saying it's not important to trust the bank to thieves,” warns Emmanuel Macron.