PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron called on Ukraine on Monday to have “realistic” expectations on territory as its fight against the Russian invasion heads into a fourth year, saying he saw no “quick and easy solution” to the conflict.

Outlining France’s foreign policy for the coming year, Macron also took aim at Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X and close ally of US president-elect Donald Trump, accusing him of supporting “a new international reactionary movement”.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, is currently occupying about a fifth of its territory. “There will be no quick and easy solution in Ukraine,” Macron said in a speech to French ambassadors gathered at the Elysee Palace.

But he also warned that Ukrainians needed to have “realistic discussions on territorial issues”, clearly urging Kyiv for the first time to consider territorial concessions. Trump has promised to bring a swift end to nearly three years of fighting, without offering any concrete proposals for a ceasefire or peace deal. Both sides are looking to secure a better position on the battlefield before Trump’s January 20 inauguration.

“The United States of America must help us to change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table,” Macron said. Europe will have to offer “security guarantees” for Ukraine, he added.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2025