On Territorial Concession To End War With Russia, President Macron: It’s Up To Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with French President Emmanuel Macron in Kyiv. (President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine would decide for itself its fate over the war with Russia, on the sidelines of a visit by European leaders to Kyiv.

Saying President Macron, Ukraine alone must decide whether to accept any territorial concessions to Russia in order to end the war, French President Emmanuel Macron told TF1 television in an interview while he was visiting Kyiv.

"This is up to Ukraine to decide," President Macron said when asked what concessions, including on its territory, Ukraine should accept, in an interview with TF1, as quoted by Reuters on June 17.

"I think it is our duty to defend our values, by international law and thus by Ukraine," added President Macron, who was visiting with other European leaders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said his country will not accept the surrender of its territory as a result of the Russian invasion which began on February 24.

President Macron came to meet President Zelensky along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian PM Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to show support for Ukraine.

"This is an important moment. This is a message of unity that we send to Ukraine," President Macron said.

His third move to make a joint trip holds strong symbolism at a crucial time, a day before the EU's executive commission is expected to recommend pushing forward Ukraine's desire to join the bloc, which EU leaders hope will support at the next summit.

Chancellor Scholz, President Macron and PM Draghi all said they were strong supporters of Ukraine, which has taken major practical steps to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy, as well as find weapons to help Kyiv.