Emmanuel Macron hammered Wednesday that France did not recognize “the annexation by Russia of Ukrainian territories”, after controversial remarks by his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy who had deemed “illusory” a “backtracking” on Crimea.
“I want to say it here once again in front of you, by your side, in a very clear way: France recognizes neither the annexation by Russia of Ukrainian territories nor the results of the sham elections which have been organised”, said the French president in a pre-recorded video message broadcast during a summit of the “Crimean Platform”, an annual event wanted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to recall Ukrainian sovereignty over the peninsula.
Nicolas Sarkozy pleads for a “neutral” Ukraine
Since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, “we have seen the constant deterioration of the humanitarian situation and human rights” on the spot, he further estimated. The former French head of state Nicolas Sarkozy (2007-2012) estimated in mid-August that in Crimea, “any step back is illusory”. For him, “an indisputable referendum (…) will be necessary to ratify the current state of affairs”.
In the same way, for the “disputed territories of eastern and southern Ukraine”, he suggested the organization of “referendums strictly supervised by the international community to settle territorial issues in a definitive and transparent way”. Nicolas Sarkozy also pleaded for a Ukraine which remains “neutral” without joining either NATO or the European Union.
“We will continue to help you”
Faced with the controversy, French diplomacy had already assured that its position had not changed. In his message, Emmanuel Macron underlined on Wednesday the “historic decision to recognize Ukraine as a candidate for membership of the European Union”. “We will remain by your side on this European path and in your aspiration for a just peace and a lasting peace, that is to say in respect for international law”, he insisted. Above all, we continue to provide you with our assistance in all areas so that Russia puts an end to the war of aggression it is waging against you and allows you to hold out, protect yourselves and win. he assured.