“French President stresses Europe’s security is at risk, urging increased support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that if Western countries fail to adequately support Ukraine, Russia could expand its aggression to NATO member states in the coming years. Speaking at the start of a high-level conference in Paris, Macron emphasized that Russia “must not and cannot” win the war, framing Ukraine’s struggle as crucial for the collective security of Europe.

The conference, which included leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, was convened to accelerate the supply of weapons and financial aid to Ukraine. Macron underscored that Europe’s own security was on the line, stating that Russia’s recent actions, including the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, marked a further hardening of Moscow’s position and a potential threat to European stability.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video address, urged that the West’s support had already saved millions of lives, but that it was vital to ensure Russia’s aggression did not extend beyond Ukraine. At the same time, Zelenskyy pointed to a shortfall in the promised artillery supplies, criticizing the European Union for failing to meet even the revised target of 50% of the promised one million shells.

The conference also addressed logistical challenges, with Ukraine citing a shortage of ammunition as a significant hindrance to its military operations. The Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, fueled tensions by suggesting that several EU and NATO members were contemplating sending troops to Ukraine, although Macron firmly dismissed the idea of escalating the conflict with direct military involvement.

As the conference concluded, Macron reiterated that while NATO’s role was not to engage in direct combat, the risk of further Russian territorial ambitions was real. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, continued to face difficulties on the ground, including retreating from a village near Avdiivka, recently captured by Russian forces. The ongoing shortage of ammunition continues to impede Ukraine’s ability to hold or retake territory.