Peace is achievable if Putin abandons his dream of restoring USSR – French Foreign Ministry
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is convinced that ending the war in Ukraine is entirely realistic, but the main obstacle remains the imperial ambitions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Source: Barrot in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche
Quote: "Peace is entirely within reach, if only Vladimir Putin gives up the mad dream of recreating the Soviet Union, starting with the subjugation of Ukraine. Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians – and to no one else."
Details: Barrot said that European partners have done everything possible to influence the negotiation process, aiming to guarantee Europe's security and peace for Ukraine. He pointed out that no decisions within European competence – from Ukraine's EU accession to the security architecture – will be taken without Europe's participation.
The French minister added that Putin now faces a choice: either take settlement proposals seriously or face the collapse of his own economy and defeat on the battlefield.
Barrot confirmed that Paris will receive Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday 1 December. The goal of the visit will be to "advance negotiations". He emphasised that the Ukrainian president "has full legitimacy" to lead his country to peace, dismissing any doubts about his mandate.
Barrot also warned the Kremlin against believing it can reach a peace deal solely with the United States. He referred to recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated during the Coalition of the Willing meeting on 25 November that lasting peace is impossible without the consent of all parties to the conflict.
Background:
- Zelenskyy's previous visit to France took place on 17 November, when an agreement was signed providing for the purchase of up to 100 Rafale fighter jets for Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine would be able to receive 8 SAMP/T air defence systems from France.
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