Macron criticizes the restriction of aid to Ukraine, which is tantamount to admitting defeat and may lead to a new war.

French President Emmanuel Macron said today that countries trying to restrict aid to Ukraine were trying to force Ukraine to accept an "unjust peace" and warned that such a move would lead to another war.

Macron's statement on social media comes as the United States mediates negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in an attempt to end a war that began with a full-scale invasion by Moscow in 2022.

Agence France-Presse reported that Macron said, "Those who want to limit aid to Ukraine really want to force Ukraine to accept an unfair peace," and then force the entire Europe to accept such a result.

"This is a mentality of admitting defeat. It will lay the foundation for another war. This cannot be France's position."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement released today that Washington has proposed that the Kiev authorities cede territory to Moscow in exchange for Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Zelensky said: "The United States raised a question: 'If Ukraine joins NATO? Will Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?' This is the first time that this question has been raised."

After two days of talks in Abu Dhabi failed to achieve a breakthrough, US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Zelensky respectively on the 12th.

However, the talks did lead to an agreement that will see European countries take part in future talks aimed at ending the war. Yesterday in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, Europe selected five countries to send representatives to participate in the talks: France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Poland.

Macron said that "Europe must be fully engaged" in efforts to achieve a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine.

He said Ukraine's allies must clearly articulate their post-war vision, including to Russia; "We must also specify what role we expect the United States to play for Europe's long-term security."

Macron also noted that he believed Putin did not want to negotiate and that as winter approaches, Putin is stepping up attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure with drones and missiles in an attempt to defeat Ukraine. "This means we must continue to provide financial assistance and help Ukraine protect its people, power plants and power grids."