Macron Hails Trump’s Backing for Full Ukrainian Territorial Recovery

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Macron Hails Trump’s Backing for Full Ukrainian Territorial Recovery

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed what he described as a decisive shift in Washington’s stance on the Ukraine war, following US President Donald Trump’s declaration that Kyiv could regain all territories occupied by Russia.

In an interview with France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly, Macron said Trump’s statement was “very important” and amounted to a “very clear message” of support.

“Russia is undoubtedly weaker and more fragile than many have said,” Macron noted. “This allows Ukraine to hold out more strongly, and even reclaim territory.”

Trump had written on social media after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that, with backing from the European Union and the United States, Ukraine was positioned to restore “all of Ukraine back in its original form.”

Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and extended its control to large swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine after launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Macron also commented on reported Russian drone violations of NATO airspace in Poland and Romania. He cautioned that if Moscow carried out further provocations, the alliance would need to escalate its response.

“If someone provokes you again, you have to react more firmly,” he said, while stressing that NATO forces would not engage in open fire against such drones.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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