President Macron calls on Europe to prepare for all peace scenarios in Ukraine

According to RIA Novosti, in a joint press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, broadcast live by the Elysee Palace on social network X on May 26, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European countries need to fully support Ukraine and prepare for all scenarios to reach a peace agreement.

According to President Macron, the current challenges require a "quantum leap" in cooperation between Paris and Berlin "to prepare for the future".

"We have made great strides since the early days of the conflict, but we need to go further. We have always maintained a firm position. We will also raise this issue at the Council of Ministers and the Joint (French-German) Defense Council. We must help Ukraine to the end in terms of weapons, training, support, and also prepare for all scenarios to build a lasting peace within the framework of international law," President Macron said.

The French leader expressed that, after the results of his three-day visit to Germany (May 26-28), he wanted to see an "ambitious plan" to protect Ukraine and European security, as well as "a common view on growth, innovation and competitiveness of the EU".

According to France 24, the visit is seen as a "health check" of the Franco-German relationship that drives EU policymaking, at a time when there are major challenges for Europe: from the conflict in Ukraine to the possibility of Donald Trump being elected US President in November.

Earlier, in mid-May 2024, President Macron said that Europe must be prepared to contain Russia if "Moscow goes too far". Mr. Macron also said that EU members had agreed to form a "deep strike alliance" to provide medium and long-range missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In addition, the French leader also pledged to do everything to prevent Russia from "winning this war", and to send troops to Ukraine if Kiev requests./.