Emmanuel Macron has said that the West and Ukraine “must find an outcome” to the war in eastern Europe, declaring that Vladimir Putin’s Russia “cannot and must not win”. While the message is one of support to Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky, commentators on social media have noted the difference in language between Mr Sunak, who declared that Ukraine must “win the war”, and Mr Macron, who opted to say Russia cannot win.
Last month, the French President said their military support of Ukraine was intended to “bring Russia back to the table and build a lasting peace”, suggesting “total defeat” was not their ambition.
These types of comments, which Mr Macron has made repeatedly since Russia’s invasion, have led to Ukrainians accusing him of “misunderstanding” the war and still hoping to maintain some semblance of relationship with Vladimir Putin despite the tens of thousands that have died following his orders.
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