French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to "do everything" to halt Russia's war on Ukraine in an apparent departure from his previous stance toward Moscow that had sparked concern in Kyiv and among European allies of France's commitment to stand up to Moscow.
Macron, who arrived in Romania late on June 15 for a three-day trip to NATO's southern flank and Moldova, has been criticized by Ukraine and Eastern European allies for what they perceived as being less supportive of Ukraine as it battles to repel Russian troops.
"We will do everything to stop Russia's war forces, to help the Ukrainians and their army and continue to negotiate," Macron told French, U.S., British, and other allied troops at NATO's Kogalniceanu military base near Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta.
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Macron is due to travel to Moldova's capital, Chisinau, later on June 15, for consultations with pro-Western President Maia Sandu. Some media reports, which have not been confirmed by Macron's office, say he will then head to Kyiv for a visit on June 16 that could also include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
"We need to support Ukraine," Macron told a joint news conference with Iohannis on June 15.
"From the first day, France said clearly that Russia is the aggressor," Macron said when asked about his repeated statements that Russia should not be humiliated during diplomatic attempts to bring the conflict to an end.
"But we must be clear-headed: We are not at war with Russia," added Macron, who has continued to keep communication channels open with the Kremlin since the start of the invasion.
"The Ukrainian president and his officials will have to negotiate with Russia," he said.
France leads a NATO battle group in Romania of about 800 troops, including 500 French soldiers, and has also deployed a surface-to-air missile system.
Macron's visit to Kyiv, if confirmed, would come a day before the European Commission makes a recommendation on Ukraine's status as an EU candidate.
Several EU nations, including France, have voiced scepticism about Ukraine's becoming a candidate to joining the 27-member group.