French President makes surprising statement about Russia, predicts when the war in Ukraine will end

According to CNN, Mr. Reznikov stated this at the GLOBSEC-2022 forum in Bratislava, Slovakia. The official said that Ukraine's defense forces still need heavy weapons, mainly multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) as well as artillery, tanks, anti-ship systems, unmanned systems, missiles and air defense systems.

Photo: AFP

"We need them quickly and in numbers commensurate with the scale of the threat. Ukraine went into war without adequate support from the democratic world. The situation is changing, but slowly. We are grateful for the contribution of each country that stands by Ukraine."

"In the Kherson region, the Russian army has built a solid defense system. Ukraine's goal is to prevent the Russian scenario from coming true and liberate our territory as soon as possible," the official added.

French President makes surprising statement about Russia

According to Reuters news agency, in an interview with a local newspaper, French President Emmanuel Macron said: "We should not humiliate Russia so that when the fighting ends, we can still open a way out through diplomatic means." The French leader added that he believes Paris will play a mediating role in ending the conflict.

President Macron has sought to maintain dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin since Moscow invaded Ukraine in late February. His stance has been repeatedly criticized by some of Europe's eastern and Baltic partners, who see it as an attempt to weaken pressure on the Russian president to come to the negotiating table.

The French leader has spoken regularly with the Russian president since the fighting in Ukraine broke out, as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire and start credible talks between Kiev and Moscow.

"I think I told Mr Putin that he is making a historic and fundamental mistake towards the Russian people, towards himself and towards history," President Macron said.

However, the French president's statement was criticised by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Mr Kuleba said: "Calls to avoid humiliating Russia can only humiliate France and those who call for it. We should all focus on how to put Russia in its place."

New developments in the war in Ukraine

According to the latest intelligence assessment by the British Ministry of Defence, Russian air activity in eastern Ukraine remains high and has contributed to recent Russian tactical gains, but has not had a significant impact on the conflict. The Ukrainian military also said that Russian forces have made only minor advances, particularly in Donetsk.

In Sloviansk, hundreds of people fled as the Ukrainian military said Russian units were approaching the city in preparation for an attack. The General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said on Friday that Russia was massing up to 20 combat battalions in the area.

CNN news agency quoted the head of the Luhansk military government as saying that the Russian army had deployed all its reserves to capture the city of Severodonetsk in Luhansk.