France “strongly” asked its citizens on Thursday to leave Russia if their presence there was “not essential” following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and the closure of airspace between Russia and the European Union.
“In the context of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and following the imposition of international sanctions, we must increase our vigilance,” the foreign ministry wrote on its website. Already on Sunday, Paris had recommended French citizens passing through Russia to leave the country.
President Emmanuel Macron insists that the world was ‘not at war with Russia or its people, but only with Vladimir Putin
- Macron’s comments came in a hard-hitting TV address on Wednesday evening
- He made clear that the only aggressor in the war has been Vladimir Putin
- He said NATO has no presence in Ukraine, and Russia has not been attacked
- Macron held meetings with Putin, including one in Moscow, before the invasion
- He said their line of communication remains open in the hope to end the war
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the world was ‘not at war with Russia or its people, but only with Vladimir Putin. In a hard-hitting national TV address on Wednesday evening, the head of state addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
‘There are no NATO troops or bases in Ukraine, and Russia has not been attacked,’ said Mr. Macron, as multiple cities in Ukraine came under brutal attack.
Mr. Macron held multiple meetings with Mr. Putin (pictured), including one in Moscow, before Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday.
Portraying Russian president Vladimir Putin as ‘the aggressor’ while standing in front of the flags of France, Ukraine, and the European Union, Mr. Macron said: ‘This war is the fruit of a spirit of revenge born of a revisionist reading of the history of Europe.
‘Russian forces are besieging the most important Ukrainian cities. The days to come will probably be harder and harder. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are fleeing to neighboring countries.’
Mr. Macron held multiple meetings with Mr. Putin, including one in Moscow, before Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday.
Referring to the Ukrainian leader, Mr. Macron said: ‘I address to President Volodymyr Zelensky the fraternal support of France. ‘This very afternoon, the United Nations General Assembly condemned, in an overwhelming vote, this aggression.
‘The international community has thus shown its unity.’ Confirming that ‘several hundred French soldiers had arrived in Romania,’ Mr. Macron highlighted the distinction between Russia and its leader. ‘We are not at war with Russia,’ said Mr. Macron. ’We know what binds us to this great European people – that is to say the Russian people.’
This picture was taken at a Kharkiv University faculty building caused by a Russian missile strike just after 8.10 am local time on March 2, 2022Despite this, Mr. Macron added: ‘I have chosen to stay in contact, and will stay in contact as much as I can and as much as necessary, with President Putin.’ Mr. Macron said this was ‘to prevent the widening and contagion of the war. ‘These events are the signal of a change of era.
‘Democracy is being challenged before our eyes. Our freedom, that of our children, is no longer a given, it is a time to be courageous, a constant fight. ‘Our country will therefore increase investment in its defense.
‘We can no longer depend on others, especially Russian gas. I will defend a strategy of European energy independence.’
To this end, Mr. Macron said he would be organizing an EU summit next week at Versailles to discuss energy independence.
