Macron pledges generators for Ukraine, condemns Russian strikes on civilians

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a strong condemnation of recent Russian military strikes in Ukraine, specifically targeting civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure. In response, Macron announced an immediate pledge to send power generators to assist the Ukrainian population during the harsh winter months, underscoring continued European support.

Condemnation of Attacks and a Pledge of Practical Aid

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, President Macron highlighted a specific incident, calling Tuesday's attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region "unacceptable." He broadly condemned "Russian strikes against civilians and energy infrastructure." To address the urgent humanitarian need caused by these attacks on the power grid, Macron stated, "In the face of urgency, we are mobilizing." Following a meeting of the G7+ group, which France co-chaired, he confirmed that "generators will be sent to Ukraine to help the population get through the winter." The announcement came after a phone call between Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Reaffirmation of Long-Term Strategic Support

Beyond immediate aid, President Macron used the statement to reiterate France's strategic commitment to Ukraine. "France’s position is clear: we will support Ukraine for as long as necessary so that it can defend itself and defeat the war of aggression waged by Russia," he wrote. He assured that Ukraine "can also count on France within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing," a reference to international groupings providing military assistance. Macron also touched on diplomacy, noting that Europeans have agreed to be fully involved in peace talks concerning them, and affirmed France's dedication to "work to build the conditions for a just and lasting peace that guarantees the security of Ukraine and Europe."

Continued Pressure and Sanctions on Russia

President Macron emphasized that support for Ukraine is coupled with sustained pressure on Moscow. "France also remains determined to increase pressure on Russia for as long as it evades peace," he stated, outlining two key fronts. First, he mentioned ongoing work "on new sanctions at the European level." Second, he pointed to efforts to "disrupt the shadow fleet," referring to the network of vessels used by Russia to circumvent Western oil embargoes and finance its war effort. This dual approach—providing direct aid to Ukraine while tightening economic and enforcement measures against Russia—represents the core of the current European and G7 strategy to counter the invasion.