Macron addresses nation on Ukraine, to convene leaders in EU summit

By Cindi Cook

PARIS (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron pledged his support for the Ukrainian people and had tough words for the ongoing aggression being waged on that country by Russian President Vladimir Putin in an evening address to the nation Wednesday.

Citing a “change of era,” Macron said he would convene a summit of the 27 heads of state of the European Union in Versailles on March 10 and 11 to discuss a steep change in European defense policy. France currently holds the Presidency of the EU.

“Russia is not being attacked, it is the aggressor. However, we are not at war with Russia,” Macron said, emphasizing “everything that binds us to this great European people that is the Russian people” as he stood in front of the French flag, the Ukrainian flag, and the flag of the European Union.

Russia’s war on its neighbor has entered its seventh day, with the cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol, Odessa and the capital Kyiv coming under heavy shelling. Military installations, communication towers, air strips and even schools and hospitals have been hit in the fighting.

“The war in Europe no longer belongs to our school books; it is there, before our eyes,” Macron added in his address.

“Democracy is no longer considered an indisputable regime. It is called into question. For our freedom and that of our children, we will respond with historic decisions.”

Macron did not miss a beat in condemning Putin’s actions and calling out his lies, referring to the latter as unsustainable propaganda.

“There are no NATO troops or bases in Ukraine; these are lies,” he said.

He also fully stepped into his role as president of the European Union, a revolving position he assumed at the start of the year, which he transmitted in his message.

“Faced with the economic and social consequences of a war on our continent, I have and will have only one compass: to protect you.”

Since the war began on Feb. 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in hiding in a series of underground bunkers from which he has issued daily communiques to his citizens.

On Wednesday afternoon, Zelenskyy addressed the European Union as well, calling for his country’s immediate admittance to the bloc “without delay” and asking the leaders there to “prove that they are with Ukraine.” His plea garnered him a standing ovation.

Macron pledged as well to stand by the side of those Russians who are protesting the war and all that Putin is doing.​​​​​​​

“We are today at the side of all the Russians who, refusing that an unworthy war be waged in their name, have the spirit of responsibility and the courage to defend peace. Let it be known in Russia and elsewhere.”