"The Ukrainian President and his officials will have to negotiate with Russia," said Macron, while on a visit to Romania and Moldova.
rench President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that Ukraine would have to hold talks with Russia at some point, in order to try and bring an end to the war between the two countries.
"The Ukrainian President and his officials will have to negotiate with Russia," said Macron, while on a visit to Romania and Moldova.
Macron arrived in Romania on Tuesday for a three-day trip to NATO's southern flank including Moldova before possibly heading to Kyiv on Thursday on a visit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, two diplomatic sources said.
Macron has been criticised by Ukraine and eastern European allies for what they perceived as his ambiguous backing for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Also on Wednesday, Macron voiced a tougher line on Russia after visiting French and allied troops at NATO Romania base, seeking to assuage concerns in Ukraine and among some European allies over his previous stance towards Moscow.
The French leader has been criticised by Ukraine and eastern European allies for what they perceived as his ambiguous backing for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
French officials have in recent days sought to strengthen the public messaging, while Macron appeared to take a tougher line on Tuesday evening when he was with his troops.
"We will do everything to stop Russia's war forces, to help the Ukrainians and their army and continue to negotiate," he told French and NATO troops at a military base in Romania.
"But for the foreseeable future, we will need to protect, dissuade and be present," he said.
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