Macron Calls for “Realism” from Ukraine and Considers Musk a Threat to Democracy

Although Macron’s remarks were not entirely new, they carried significant messages for Ukraine, newly elected U.S. President Trump, and European nations. Macron, positioning himself as Ukraine’s staunchest ally, subtly suggested that ending the war might require Kyiv to compromise on some territorial disputes. He emphasized the need for Ukrainians to engage in “realistic discussions on territorial issues” while clarifying that such decisions must come solely from Ukraine. Macron stressed, “There is no solution in Ukraine without Ukrainians.”

This cautionary stance also targeted President Trump, who had previously claimed he could quickly resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. France and Europe fear that Trump might leverage military and financial support as a means to pressure Ukraine into accepting peace on American terms. Macron directly addressed Trump, stating, “There is no quick or easy solution in Ukraine,” while urging Washington to help persuade Russia to negotiate.

Macron also warned that the U.S. has much to lose if Ukraine is defeated, highlighting that such a loss would undermine the West’s credibility and have disastrous consequences for both Europe and America.

Regarding Europe, Macron urged the continent to work on providing Ukraine with “security guarantees” as an alternative to NATO membership, which Moscow adamantly opposes. He proposed deploying European forces to monitor ceasefire agreements, enhancing Ukraine’s security through bilateral agreements. However, this proposal received little enthusiasm in Europe and was deemed insufficient by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Macron warned Europeans about the “fatigue” from a prolonged war, stressing the catastrophic consequences not only for Ukraine but for European security. He cautioned, “If we decide to be weak and defeatist, there’s little chance the United States under President Trump will respect us.”