Macron: Ukraine to decide time and terms of peace with Russia
ROME — French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday it’s up to Ukraine to decide the time and terms of peace with Russia, and he cautioned that the end of war “can’t be the consecration of the law of the strongest.”
Speaking at the opening of a three-day peace conference in Rome, Mr. Macron said the international community will be there when the Ukrainian government chooses that time.
“To stay neutral would mean accepting the world order of the strongest, and I don’t agree with this,” Mr. Macron said at the conference organized by a Catholic charity with close ties to the Vatican.
There is concern that support from Ukraine’s allies in Europe might be eroded due to soaring energy costs with the approach of winter.
Pope Francis is scheduled to conclude the Cry for Peace conference, sponsored by the Sant’Egidio Community, with a speech Tuesday at the Colosseum.
Throughout the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine eight months ago, the pope has warned against an arms buildup. But he has said Ukraine has the right to defend itself.
While Italy’s new premier, far- right leader Giorgia Meloni, is a staunch backer of helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty, her coalition allies have pro-Russia sympathies.
In the evening, Ms. Meloni and Mr. Macron met privately in Rome for talks.
The premier’s office said the two agreed to work together “on the big, common challenges on the European level and in the respect of reciprocal national interests.” The two discussed the need to give “rapid and common responses” to the problems of high energy costs, support for
Ukraine, the difficult economic moment and managing migrant flows, the statement said.
The French presidency said both leaders had a “constructive,” “frank” and “open” discussion for over one hour and that they agreed on the need to have regular contacts at all levels in order to move forward the European agenda.
The French president’s visit to Italy includes an audience with the pope at the Vatican on Monday.
Mr. Macron addressed concern that any talk of peace could be taken as a sign of lack of support for Ukraine. “To speak of peace now, call for peace, might seem unbearable for those who are fighting for freedom, it seems like a betrayal” of Ukraine, the French leader said.
Italy’s main populist opposition leader, former Premier Giuseppe Conte, last week said Italy shouldn’t send more arms to Ukraine.
Mr. Macron referred to his past meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the war’s architect.
Moscow’s aggression is “the fruit of exaggerated nationalism” and feeling isolated, the French leader said, noting the aggression was unjustified.