Russia-Ukraine War: Macron reaffirms France’s support for Kyiv

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday affirmed support for Ukraine marking four years since Russia launched its fullscale invasion and describing the conflict as a war of aggression chosen by RussiaIn a post on X Macron said Four years ago Europe awoke to the sound of Russian bombs falling on Ukraine recalling four years of a war of aggression chosen by Russia in blatant defiance of international law of a peoples sovereignty and of human life Four years of cities struck of schools and hospitals destroyed of energy infrastructure methodically targeted to plunge families into cold and terrorHe said the war had resulted in 15000 Ukrainian civilians killed and condemned what he described as violence rape torture war crimes and terror as well as the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian childrenFour years of shattered livesviolence rape torture war crimes and terrorFour years and thousands of Ukrainian children torn from their land and their families And yet for four years Ukraine has held firm and resisted he saidMacron argued that Russia had failed to achieve its strategic objectives While the Kremlin promised to conquer Ukraine in a matter of days only 137 of Ukrainian territory has been taken since the front stabilised in November 2022 Last month Ukraine even regained ground he saidHighlighting the human cost for Moscow the French President claimed that More than 12 million Russian soldiers have been wounded or killedthe highest number of Russian combat casualties since the Second World WarHe further alleged that Russia was recruiting individuals from the African continent to fight on the Ukrainian front often with no prior training whatsoeverCalling the war a triple failure for Russia military economic and strategic Macron said it had strengthened NATO and galvanised European unityBecause Ukraine is the first line of defence of our continent France and Europe stand resolutely by its side he saidMacron noted that Europe had mobilised EUR 170 billion in financial military humanitarian and energy assistance for Ukraine He also referred to a EUR 90 billion loan agreed at the December European Council to provide Kyiv with predictable funding over the next two yearsThere is no justification for calling this into question We must now deliver on it he said adding that deliveries of equipment and ammunition training strengthened air defences and counterdrone capabilities would continueMacron stressed that sanctions against Russia and action against its shadow fleet would also be maintainedBecause there can be no peace without securityand because our security is being decided in Ukrainewe will continue our engagement within the Coalition of the Willing he said referring to coordination efforts among Ukraines alliesRecalling a meeting in Paris on January 6 Macron said strong convergence had been built with the United States on future security guarantees for Ukraine and that further discussions would ensure European interests are taken into account in shaping the continents future security architectureTo the women and men of Ukraine we think of you with deep emotion Of your families who have endured so much of your children of all those who keep resisting under the strikes Macron saidWe are and will remain by Ukraines side the French President saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever