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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri

Ukraine condemns Macron for saying Russia should not be ‘humiliated’

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister has rebuked Emmanuel Macron for suggesting it is important not to “humiliate” Moscow.

The French President has sought to maintain an open dialogue with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since his troops invaded Ukraine in February.

"We must not humiliate Russia so that the day when the fighting stops we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means," Mr Macron said in an interview with regional newspapers published on Saturday.

"I am convinced that it is France’s role to be a mediating power."

But Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned him over the comments.

He replied: “Calls to avoid humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and every other country that would call for it.

“Because it is Russia that humiliates itself. We all better focus on how to put Russia in its place. This will bring peace and save lives.”

It comes after a second top Kyiv official said there was no point in reentering talks with Russia until its forces had been pushed back to Ukraine’s borders.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak made the remark when asked about the offer of mediation made by Macron on Saturday.

He told broadcasters: “Until we receive weapons in their full amount, until we strengthen our positions, until we push them [Russia‘s forces] back as far as possible to the borders of Ukraine, there is no point in holding negotiations.”

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