– We fully respect President Macron’s prerogatives and his right to express his views on what is happening in Ukraine and how, why and to what extent the French people will support Ukraine. At the same time, as President of the United States, he expressed his own view: We will not send soldiers. Kirby said that the president made it clear from the beginning that we are not looking for a third world war, a war with Russia, answering during an online press conference a question about Biden’s opinion of President Macron’s statements about the possibility of sending Western forces to Syria. Ukraine.
Biden is going to Paris. The war in Ukraine is the main topic
Macron has stressed several times in recent months that he does not rule out sending troops, arguing that deterring Russia must also include ensuring that Moscow is not sure what the West will do.
Announcing Biden’s visit to the Elysee Palace on Saturday, the White House representative stressed that the war in Ukraine and long-term support for Kiev would be the main topic of the talks. The leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including strengthening port security and law enforcement in the region’s waters.
In response to a question about what President Volodymyr Zelensky told Biden about the situation on the Ukrainian front on Friday during their meeting in Paris, Kirby said that the Ukrainian president gave an “honest” assessment of the pressure his forces are under in Donbas. At the same time, he noted that, among other things, thanks to the help of the United States, the Ukrainians were able to stop the Russian offensive around Kharkov.
– I say this with a dose of humility, because the opponent always has something to say, but at the moment it certainly seems that the offensive near Kharkov has stopped.
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