PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that the Ukrainian counteroffensive towards Russian forces might final “weeks, even months.”
“The counteroffensive has began. It’s going to be deployed for a number of weeks and even months. We’re supporting it throughout the limits that we set ourselves,” Macron mentioned alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish President Andrzej Duda on the Elysée Palace.
Ukrainian forces have stepped up operations within the final couple of days and introduced on Monday night that that they had liberated a number of villages within the south and the east of the nation.
“We would like [the counteroffensive] to be as victorious as attainable in order that we will then begin a interval of negotiations in good situations,” he added.
The French, Polish and German leaders have been assembly in Paris to debate Ukraine’s request for safety ensures and a transparent pathway to NATO membership forward of a summit of the army alliance in July. Nonetheless, on Monday night it appeared that the leaders have been sending completely different indicators in a press convention that was held forward of a working dinner in Paris.
Whereas Duda referred to as for Ukraine to be given “a transparent sign, a transparent perspective” on its future membership of NATO, Scholz was much less forthcoming, noting that debates have been “intense.”
“Now we have been discussing safety ensures because the begin of the conflict … Now we have taken choices to assist Ukraine for so long as wanted. This debate is intense between us, between Germany, France, and its U.S. companions,” Scholz mentioned. “We’ll finalize [our position] when we now have the outcomes of our talks. However … it have to be very concrete.”
Earlier this month, Macron referred to as for Ukraine to be given “sturdy and tangible” safety ensures however stopped wanting calling for full-fledged NATO membership.
Macron, Scholz and Duda all pledged that their nations would proceed supporting Ukraine in the course of the counteroffensive. Scholz advised reporters that Germany would assist Ukraine for “so long as needed” and mentioned his nation had additionally arrange programs to restore weapons in the course of the present assault.
Macron in the meantime mentioned that France had “intensified deliveries” of weapons, ammunition and armored autos.
