French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that Russia was “militarily and politically fragile” and would face off against a group of Western countries determined to provide continued and lasting support for Ukraine.
“Russia is militarily and politically fragile, more so than some say, and our support for Ukraine is more durable than some thought,” Macron said during a press conference after the NATO summit in Vilnius.
The French leader considers that the recent rebellion of the Wagner Group constitutes a “first sign of division” within Russia, which reinforces the idea of ”weakness of Russian power.”
Macron also admitted that the Ukrainians may have been disappointed that they did not get a more concrete commitment from NATO on their membership in the Atlantic Alliance.
“It is legitimate that the President of Ukraine (Volodymyr Zelensky) demands with us, because he is fighting on the ground. His army is fighting and defending the integrity of his territory, the sovereignty of his people, ”argued the French president.
However, Macron stressed that “the path towards NATO is being paved”, in a “direct and open” way.
“In my opinion, we did what we had to do,” concluded the French president.
“At this time of great uncertainty, a clear message must be sent to Russia: it will not divide or exhaust European partners and allies… and Ukraine’s aspiration to join the Alliance will be respected,” Macron vowed.
Source: TSF
