Russia must not be humiliated despite Putin's 'historic' mistake, Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is vital that Russia is not humiliated so that when the fighting stops in Ukraine a diplomatic solution can be found. He said that he believed Paris would play a mediating role to end the conflict. President Macron has sought to maintain a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin since Moscow's military action in Ukraine in February. His stance has been repeatedly criticised by some eastern and Baltic partners in Europe, as they see it as undermining efforts to pressure Putin to the negotiating table.

Macron in an interview with regional newspapers said that he is convinced that it is France's role to be a mediating power. Macron has spoken with Putin regularly as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire and begin a credible negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow. "I think, and I told him, that he is making a historic and fundamental mistake for his people, for himself and for history," Macron said. France has supported Ukraine militarily and financially, but until now Macron has not been to Kyiv to offer symbolic political support like other EU leaders, something Ukraine has wanted him to do. Macron said he had not ruled out going.Paris sends offensive weapons including Caesar howitzer canon taken from French army stocks. Macron said he had asked weapons manufacturers to accelerate production.