Macron warns of Western decline if Ukraine crisis remains unresolved
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French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Western credibility is at risk if the Ukraine war remains unresolved.
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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Friday, May 30, 2025 (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned on Friday that the West's ability to manage global crises is at risk if the conflict in Ukraine remains unresolved. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Macron asserted that Western powers, particularly the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, face a loss of credibility in the broader international arena.
"If both the United States of America and the Europeans are unable to fix on the short run the Ukrainian situation, I think the credibility of both the US and the Europeans to pretend to fix any crisis in this region will be very low. Let's be honest," Macron stated.
The French leader's warning comes amid a renewed push by NATO-aligned countries to expand Ukraine's military capabilities. Macron endorsed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent comments supporting the removal of range restrictions on Western-supplied weapons, describing the move as contributing to "strategic ambiguity" in the West's approach to the conflict.
"What we are doing is to increase till 3.5% GDP our defense expenditure, probably we will go further and faster," Macron added, signaling France's intention to further bolster its military posture.
Merz's claim that Germany, along with France, the UK, and the US, has lifted range limits on weapons deliveries to Kiev has reignited political friction within Germany. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and other figures in the Social Democratic Party (SPD) pushed back, stating that no formal policy change has been made. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also expressed reservations, noting there are "many arguments" against delivering long-range cruise missiles such as the Taurus KEPD 350.
Summit Conditional
These internal divisions come as Russia continues to warn that the supply of such advanced weaponry to Ukraine constitutes direct participation in the war. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that any strike involving German Taurus missiles would be viewed as German entry into the conflict. Moscow argues that arms deliveries to Kiev hinder diplomatic resolution efforts and draw NATO members deeper into confrontation with Russia.
The debate over weapons escalation coincides with renewed diplomatic activity. The Kremlin has signaled openness to a potential summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and US President Donald Trump, if ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul produce meaningful outcomes.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said such high-level talks would only follow concrete progress on the ground: "First, a result must be achieved in direct negotiations... then we can talk about contacts at the highest level."
Read more: Putin-Zelensky-Trump summit doable if Istanbul talks succeed: Kremlin
Russia's delegation is preparing to resume talks in Istanbul, with discussions expected to address a temporary ceasefire framework and maritime security in the Black Sea. However, the growing military tensions and weapons debate in Europe may complicate any diplomatic breakthrough.
