Macron states Ukrainians know they won’t take land back
(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that Ukraine understands it lacks the military capability to reclaim all territories currently under Russian control. Speaking to TF1 on Tuesday, Macron emphasized that even Ukrainian leaders recognize their limitations in reversing all of Russia’s territorial gains since 2014.
“The war must come to an end, and Ukraine needs to be in the strongest possible position for negotiations that will address territorial issues,” Macron said. He added that Kyiv is aware it cannot fully restore its pre-2014 borders through military means.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged in April that Ukraine does not have sufficient weaponry to retake Crimea by force, though Kyiv continues to reject any renunciation of its territorial claims.
Macron reiterated that Ukraine will not be joining NATO but noted that Western allies are considering deploying “reassurance forces” in non-combat areas of Ukraine to demonstrate continued support. France and the UK have suggested sending peacekeepers after a ceasefire, though specifics remain unclear. Russia, however, has warned that any unauthorized foreign military presence in Ukraine—particularly from NATO states—would be viewed as hostile and targeted accordingly.
Crimea, home mostly to ethnic Russians, joined Russia in 2014 following a referendum held shortly after a Western-backed coup in Kiev. In 2022, the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye also voted to join Russia.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently told Time magazine that Crimea would “remain with Russia,” suggesting that Zelensky understands this reality. Trump’s proposed peace plan reportedly includes freezing the conflict along the current front line and recognizing Russia's control over Crimea, with the goal of ending the conflict swiftly.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed that Moscow intends to discuss a “sustainable settlement” with Ukrainian representatives during planned talks in Istanbul on May 15.
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