France’s Macron Recommends Negotiations, with Mutual Security Assurances, or Face ‘Full War’

Dec. 20, 2022 (EIRNS)—French President Emmanuel Macron restated (in French) Dec. 19 the need for a guarantee of long-term security for Russia. In a 15-minute interview with TF1 and LCI channels aboard the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, he declared: “The day of peace will involve discussions. First and foremost for guarantees to Ukraine, for its territorial integrity, its long-term security. But also for Russia, as it will be a party to an armistice and peace treaty.”

Macron had, earlier in December, put forward that Russia’s security concerns should be considered in negotiations, in ending the war in Ukraine. He said in the interview that was aired today that Russia fears NATO would come “right up to its doorstep—that is, the deployment of weapons that could threaten Russia.” The leaders of Poland, the Baltic states, and Slovakia had erupted in protest over the mere mention of such an idea, in early December.

In yesterday’s interview, Macron was preemptive, challenging his critics, “Whoever reproaches me for raising such a subject, explains to me what they propose,” he said. “What the people who refuse to prepare for that and work on it are proposing is full war. It will involve the whole continent.”