French President says Russia should not be criticized so that it can still do this after the end of the war in Ukraine

French President Macron has sought to maintain dialogue with Russian President Putin since Moscow launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. His move has been repeatedly criticized by some countries in Europe, who see it as sabotaging efforts to pressure Putin to sit at the negotiating table.

Mr. Macron said in an interview with regional newspapers published on June 4: “We should not humiliate Russia. Only then when the fighting stops, we can build a new one.” exit through diplomatic means”.

He also noted: “I believe that France has the role of an intermediary power.”

Mr. Macron has spoken regularly with Mr. Putin since the campaign aimed at reaching a ceasefire and starting a credible negotiation between Kiev and Moscow.

France has supported Ukraine militarily and financially, but so far President Macron has not come to Kiev to offer symbolic political support like other European Union (EU) leaders, what Ukraine always wanted him to do. Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of doing this in the near future.

Paris sent a number of offensive weapons to Kiev, including Caesar cannons taken from the French army’s stockpile. Macron added that he had asked arms manufacturers to speed up production.