(Dan Tri) – The French President said that the range of Russian ballistic missiles is endangering European countries.
Russian Iskander missile leaves the launch pad (Photo: Sputnik).
`If we talk about Ukraine, the safety of Europeans is at stake because this country is located only about 1,500km from our border. If Russia wins, it will only take a second for Romania, Poland, Lithuania or
According to Mr. Macron, the technical features and range of Russian ballistic missiles are dangerous to European countries.
`The power and range of Russian ballistic missiles endanger us all,` Mr. Macron warned.
Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, representative of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency, said in April that Russia currently has `about 950 tactical and strategic missiles with a range of more than 350km`.
In the interview, the French leader still affirmed that dialogue with Russia must be maintained.
`We are doing the right thing by leaving the door open for negotiations with Russia. Otherwise, we will abandon the international order as well as peace and security,` Mr. Macron said.
However, Mr. Macron noted that it is necessary to continue the policy of `strategic ambiguity` regarding Russia.
At the end of April, Mr. Macron said at Sorbonne University in Paris that Europe should prepare to build relations with Russia after the Ukraine conflict ends.
President Macron caused controversy in February, after declaring that the West did not rule out the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and that these countries would do everything possible to prevent Russia from winning in Ukraine.
In an interview with Economist on May 2, the French President stated two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev’s request and Russia’s breakthrough on the front line.
`If Russia breaks through Ukraine’s front lines and if there is a request from Ukraine, then we need to consider (sending troops into Ukraine),` President Macron said.
According to Mr. Macron, what happened during more than 2 years of war between Russia and Ukraine shows that no option should be ruled out.
Mr. Macron’s views received support from leaders of several countries.
Russia repeatedly criticized the French leader’s statements as dangerous, and warned of the risk of a nuclear conflict if the West sent troops into Ukraine.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in April warned his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu that deploying troops to Ukraine would cause `disaster for France`.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in February that France may send demining personnel and non-combat personnel to Ukraine to support Kiev in its two-year war with Russia.