Zelensky: Macron has changed after his request “not to humiliate” Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron has changed his position since asking in June 2022 to “not humiliate” Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro and Der Spiegel.

“I think he has changed, and this time he has changed for real.” leads his words France 24.

Zelensky emphasized that it was the French president who “paved the way” for the supply of tanks to Kyiv, and also supported Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

Earlier in early June 2022, Macron in interview newspaper Ouest France urged not to humiliate Russia, since it will be necessary to find a way out of the crisis through diplomacy after the hostilities are over.

February 4, French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre toldthat Macron calls Russian President Vladimir Putin mainly at the request of Zelensky. Russia, in her opinion, does not want to start “meaningful negotiations”, but France wants to keep the channel of communication open. It is also important that Paris is trying to “promote certain issues raised by the Ukrainians.”

Since the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly advocated negotiations with the Russian authorities. Also, at the initiative of the French side, telephone conversations between the leaders of the states took place more than once.

In early December last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the settlement process in Ukraine will difficult and lengthy. The Kremlin also noted that they do not yet see prospects for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. February 1, Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov informedthat the presidents of Russia and the United States also have no plans to negotiate.