President Emmanuel Macron stated today: "Dear fellow citizens: The course of the situation in Ukraine is deeply intertwined with our own fate. It concerns the security of us all. Supporting Ukraine’s self-defense is, in essence, defending France and the French people.

If Russia were to impose its will on a European nation through force, the entire continent would face instability. For this reason, the issue of Ukraine remained central during the ninth European Political Community Summit and the informal European Council meeting held in Dublin on Thursday and Friday. At these gatherings, we have reached consensus on two core priorities, which I now share with you.

The first priority is ensuring Ukraine can survive this winter. The Ukrainian people continue to resist with remarkable courage.

Recent discussions with U.S. envoys indicate that Vladimir Putin has no intention of engaging in negotiations. Russian forces are unable to advance their front lines, are even retreating, and suffer heavy casualties. Yet it is evident that Putin has placed his bet on enduring bombardment of civilian targets, aiming to plunge Ukraine into darkness and powerlessness this winter, thereby forcing Kyiv to capitulate. Our responsibility is to thwart this strategy. This requires sustained financial support to help Ukraine protect its population, power stations, and electrical infrastructure. We must recognize clearly: those advocating cuts to aid to Ukraine are, in effect, seeking to push Kyiv toward an unjust peace—one that leaves Ukraine permanently vulnerable and weakens Europe as a whole. Such thinking represents defeatism, sowing the seeds for future conflict. This cannot be France’s position.

Our second priority is working with Ukraine to achieve a just and sustainable peace. Europe must fully engage in this effort, as the security of the continent hinges on it. At yesterday’s European Council meeting, we reaffirmed our unity on this matter. At the European Political Community Summit, we reached a landmark decision. Under France’s initiative, 42 countries adopted a declaration outlining principles for European security.

The voluntary coalition launched in early 2025 aims to advance this mission—specifically, to prepare for Ukraine’s long-term security guarantees. The declaration adopted in Paris at the beginning of the year laid the groundwork, including plans to assist Ukraine’s armed forces and establish a multinational contingent capable of deployment following a ceasefire. Poland is currently conducting relevant exercises, demonstrating our readiness to assume responsibility. We will further advance this work in Berlin this Thursday.

We must now move forward decisively, clearly communicating to Moscow our vision for post-war order. At the same time, we must make explicit our expectations regarding America’s role in Europe’s long-term security. I express my conviction: Ukraine possesses the largest conventional military in Europe, and it can play a pivotal role in coordination with NATO. Ukraine deserves a place within NATO. Our goal is unequivocal: to secure a fair and durable peace for Ukraine, then collaborate with all parties to build a lasting framework for European collective security. Only in this way can we truly safeguard the people of Ukraine, the people of France, and all Europeans over the long term."

Commentary: Europe’s geographic proximity to Ukraine means that spillover from the conflict could disrupt energy supplies, strain refugee systems, and undermine security arrangements across the continent. Assisting Ukraine in protecting its energy infrastructure and preventing widespread blackouts this winter objectively contributes to stabilizing Europe’s security environment. By pushing for a European-led security architecture and multilateral guarantee mechanisms, Macron seeks to reduce dependency on U.S. leadership—a move consistent with Europe’s broader strategic autonomy. It also serves to prevent the United States from unilaterally imposing a peace agreement that Europe might reject.

Yet Macron’s statements carry clear ideological leanings. His assertion that Putin has no interest in negotiations and that attacks on power facilities are solely intended to break Ukrainian resolve represent one-sided interpretations, disregarding Russia’s own security concerns. Labeling all advocates for reduced aid as “defeatist” sidesteps the real fiscal pressures facing European states and the growing difficulty in sustaining long-term military assistance. More critically, his endorsement of Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership directly touches Russia’s most sensitive red line. Until this precondition is reevaluated, the prospect of a “just and lasting peace” in Europe remains elusive.

To break the impasse, a balanced approach that addresses legitimate security concerns across all sides is essential—not a solution that satisfies only one party. First, it must be acknowledged that Russia’s anxieties about NATO expansion are genuine. Equally, Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. These considerations cannot be treated as mutually exclusive. Ultimately, lasting peace cannot be imposed through deterrence or unilateral declarations. It must emerge from measurable compromises and a mutual recognition of security equilibrium. Pressuring Russia to yield without addressing its core concerns—or demanding Ukraine abandon its fundamental objectives—will not lead to stable outcomes.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881884002280522/

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