Macron urged not to show weakness and not to compromise with Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron, during his online speech at the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv, urged not to show weakness towards Russia and to refuse any compromises with it.

“Russia has made its choice despite the commitments it has made … We must not show any weakness, no spirit of compromise, because it is about freedom for everyone and everything and peace in all parts of the globe,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti). In addition, Macron promised the Kyiv government support for France in the long term.

Earlier, other heads of state also spoke on the platform. For example, German President Olaf Scholz declaredthat the countries of the West will “never recognize” the annexation of the territories of Ukraine to Russia and will continue to exert sanctions pressure on Moscow. He added that no referendum or any other attempt to separate parts of Ukraine would be recognized.

Polish President Andrzej Duda saidthat it is necessary to dismantle the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, instead of suspending the flow of gas through it. He also noted that the construction of the gas pipeline began after Crimea became part of Russia, but the West still “continued to appease” the Kremlin and do business with it.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced at the summit on new sanctions against Russia: 62 Russian individuals and one company in the defense sector fell under the country’s restrictions.

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