France, Germany will never be negotiators behind Ukraine's back - Macron

Macron said this at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Romania President Klaus Iohannis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Speaking about "red lines" in the talks, Macron noted that Europeans have always supported the Ukrainian people, as evidenced, in particular, by unprecedented sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia.

"At the same time, we did not go to war with the Russian people, that is, collectively we are not waging such a war. That is why we, absolutely transparently, each time informing President Zelensky, continued negotiations with the Russian president [...] in particular, in the current issues that arise - now it is a question of food security. And it is in this context that we maintain a channel of dialogue [with Russia]," Macron said.

However, he stressed that the terms and format of these talks are determined by Ukraine.

"Neither Germany nor France will ever be negotiators behind Ukraine's back. And they will never demand any concessions from Ukraine - this has never been and never will be the case. We are here only to act as a demanding mediator, to bring more clarity and set certain requirements, but in no case to receive any concessions," Macron said.

"Conditions will be put forward only by the Ukrainian president and only on the terms that will be accepted by the Ukrainian people," he said.

Macron also stressed that Ukraine must win this war "in a way so as to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty." He emphasized that France's position on this issue is absolutely clear.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis arrived in Ukraine on June 16. They visited Irpin and held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo: President's Office