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French President Emmanuel Macron announced today (29/5) that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings in northwestern France on November 6.
“When President Zelensky goes to France next week on the occasion of the Normandy landings, I will have the opportunity to welcome him and then announce very precisely what actions we will take,” he told a news conference More support for Ukraine in Germany, where he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a donation ceremony at the Meseberg building near Berlin.
Responding to a question about the possible sending of French military trainers to Ukraine, he added: “I will not comment on uncoordinated and unfortunate communications.”
President Macron today called the announcement by Ukraine’s top commander that a document allowing French military instructors to soon visit Ukrainian training centers “unfortunate and incongruous.” He said Ukraine had corrected the remarks and he would not comment further on the statement.
Meanwhile, Macron said Kiev should be allowed to “neutralize” Russian military bases that launch missiles into Ukrainian territory amid a debate over the use of Western weapons in Russia.
“They must be allowed to neutralize military positions that launch missiles, as well as attack Ukrainian military positions,” he stressed.
“If we tell them that you have no right to reach the missile launch sites, we are in fact telling them that we are providing you with weapons but you cannot protect yourself,” Macron said in a speech on the last day of his official visit to Germany.
“But we must not allow other targets in Russia and obvious civilian facilities to be attacked,” he clarified.
Tense conversation
The debate over whether to use Western weapons supplied to Ukraine on Russian territory is causing tension in Washington and European capitals.
The most hesitant states so far — primarily Rome and Berlin — have spoken of the risks of escalation and widening of the conflict, as well as the risk of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons.
“We don’t want an escalation,” Macron repeated. “What has changed is that Russia has slightly adjusted its approach” to attacking Ukraine from bases inside Russia.
The chancellor remained more cautious.
“It is entirely possible for Ukraine to do this under international law,” he said.
“We have to make it clear that (Ukraine) can defend itself if attacked”
Typically, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO was pressuring Western countries to lift restrictions that “tie Ukrainians’ hands behind their backs”.
Today, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged the 27-nation bloc to balance concerns about escalation with the need for Ukrainians to defend themselves, saying Kiev should be able to strike Russian territory with Western weapons.
In recent months, Macron has emerged as Russia’s biggest adversary.
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