Macron Supports Return to Negotiations on Kyiv Terms

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, Nov. 7, that at some point it will be necessary to return to the negotiating table with Russia. However, Ukraine should dictate the time and terms.

Emmanuel Macron was questioned about the conflict in Ukraine, which has now lasted for more than eight months, during a press conference held as part of COP27 Climate Summit in Egypt.

Since 1995, the UN Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties, has taken place annually. These two-week summits provide a crucial forum for world leaders, politicians, experts, and a wide range of other individuals to discuss the global climate crisis.

The conference also provided a opportunity for France’s head of state to reconfirm France’s support for the Russian-invaded nation while guaranteeing that Ukraine should “at some point” resume talks to resolve the conflict.

“I remain convinced for my part and I assume it, even at this moment, at some point, we will have to come back around a negotiating table,” declared the French president, adding nevertheless that it should be possible “to be done under conditions and at a time to be chosen by Ukraine.”

However, the French president recalled that due to “high tensions on the ground,” he was “rushed to give completely radical pre-conditions,” specifically mentioning the power and water cuts that Ukrainians are currently experiencing as well as reports of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The head of state reiterated, “The current context does not allow operational explanations on this subject.”

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These remarks coincide with Macron’s earlier mention of this return to negotiations in his speech on Oct. 23 at the summit for world peace that the Sant’Egidio community organized in Rome.

The Washington Post also reported over the weekend that despite the strong financial and material support that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration provided for Ukraine it also urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to engage in negotiations with his Russian counterpart. The primary goal of this request would be to ensure the Western powers’ support if the conflict were to continue.

The UNFCCC, an international environmental treaty that addresses climate change, was signed 30 years ago, and the annual conferences bring those signatories together.

A World Leaders Summit was held on Nov. 7 and 8 to begin the two weeks of COP27 negotiations. Government representatives will address some of the most important climate-related issues, such as agriculture, finance, decarbonization, adaptation, and transportation.