Macron gives Ukraine green light to strike Russian territories in huge blow to Putin
The French President said Ukraine should be allowed to "neutralise identified targets" on Russian territories.
Emmanuel Macron has given Ukraine the green light to attack Russian territories with Western weapons in a scathing provocation to Vladimir Putin.
Holding a map showing Ukraine's borders with Russia, Macron said on Tuesday that Kyiv should be able to target specific Russian-based military sites used to launch missiles onto Ukrainian territory.
"We are sending weapons to Ukraine but tell them they can’t use it," he argued, highlighting the need for a coherent strategy, even as Germany and Italy maintain their opposition on the matter.
Macron made these remarks during a press conference alongside Germany’s Olaf Scholz, just minutes before the start of a Franco-German Council of Ministers in Meseberg, marking the close of the official State visit.
He reiterated that France’s doctrine towards Ukraine remained unchanged, saying: "We support Ukraine to resist and defend its borders, and we do not want any escalation." However, he pointed out that Russia’s military tactics have evolved, with missiles now being launched from Russian bases into Ukraine.
"How can we explain to Ukrainians that they must protect their cities, notably Kharkiv, if we, at the same time, tell them they cannot target bases Russian missiles are being launched from?" Macron questioned.
He then gave the green light for Ukraine to "neutralise identified targets" from which missiles are being launched, cautioning that they must not target civilian infrastructure or other military sites indiscriminately.
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The position aligns with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s recent comments to The Economist, where he suggested that some EU restrictions should be lifted, allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia.
He said: "Especially now when a lot of the fighting is going on in Kharkiv, close to the border, to deny Ukraine the possibility of using these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory makes it very hard for them to defend themselves."
Macron’s endorsement marks a significant shift in Western support for Ukraine, potentially escalating the conflict with Russia.
