Macron backs frozen assets for Ukraine

Macron backs frozen assets for Ukraine
Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (25 November) that France, together with other European Union member states, will finalise a mechanism in the coming days to provide financial support to Ukraine, using frozen Russian assets as a key component.

Macron noted that these assets serve both as a funding source and as a means of maintaining pressure on Moscow.

Speaking after a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, the French leader stressed that Ukraine requires a peace that is “serious”, “durable”, and fully aligned with international law.

Macron also emphasised that preventing any future aggression demands a strong Ukrainian army. He said that discussions in Geneva confirmed there should be no limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities. According to Macron, France and the United Kingdom will launch a new working group from Wednesday, with Türkiye – which plays a crucial role in maritime security – and, for the first time, the United States joining the initiative. The group is expected to define individual contributions and finalise security guarantees that will act as a “second layer” of support for Ukraine’s forces.

Ukraine, meanwhile, signalled on Tuesday that it supports the general framework of a potential peace agreement with Russia. However, officials in Kyiv stressed that sensitive issues must be resolved during a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

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