Since invading Ukraine in February, Macron has sought to maintain a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This stance of France has been criticized repeatedly by Eastern countries and Baltic partner's in Europe, as they see it as undermining efforts to pressure Putin to bring him to the negotiating table.
French President Emmanuel Macron said it is vital that Russia "not be humiliated" so that a diplomatic solution can be found when the fighting stops in Ukraine. He said that he believed that Paris would play a "mediating" role in ending the conflict.
He has given an interview to a regional newspaper in which he said that "We must not humiliate Russia so that the Day when the fighting stops, we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means, '' he also added that "I am convinced that it is France's role to be a mediating power."
According to Macron, he has been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion began. He has put a lot of effort into achieving a ceasefire and beginning credible negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
" I think, and I told him, that he is making a historical and fundamental mistake for his people, himself, and history," Emmanuel Macron said.
Now, will Paris be successful in negotiating with Moscow and Kyiv?