PRAGUE: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Ukraine’s allies not to shy away from their responsibilities in supporting the country’s defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.
During a visit to the Czech Republic, Macron reiterated his stance, expressing full support for his recent remarks that did not rule out the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. His comments, made last week, sparked a flurry of debate across Europe. “We are surely approaching a moment for Europe in which it will be necessary not to be cowards,” Macron emphasized.
Addressing the question of European involvement in the conflict, Macron questioned whether the crisis in Ukraine could be ignored or left unchecked. He underscored the need for a strategic surge in support for Ukraine and reiterated his steadfast commitment to that cause.
Despite some European allies expressing reluctance to deploy troops to Ukraine, Macron reiterated France’s position of non-escalation and emphasized the country’s commitment to seeking peaceful resolutions.
Western Allies’ Military Aid for Ukraine
Macron’s visit to Prague coincided with discussions surrounding the Czech Republic’s proposal to procure weaponry for Ukraine outside of Europe. At a security conference in Munich last month, Czech Prime Minister Petr Pavel outlined plans to collect substantial ammunition for Ukraine with the assistance of international partners.
Macron voiced support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of leveraging resources to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. He suggested utilizing frozen Russian assets in Europe, estimated at 3-5 billion euros annually, to fund Ukraine’s defense efforts while maintaining adherence to international law.
Later in the day, Macron was scheduled to address a nuclear forum in Prague, attended by French energy companies, where discussions on potential collaborations in the nuclear sector were expected to take place.
The French president’s visit to Prague follows an invitation extended by Czech President Petr Pavel during his visit to Paris last December, although overshadowed by a tragic shooting incident in Prague. Macron planned to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting by laying flowers at the site during his visit.
