French President Emmanuel Macron has assured NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of his unwavering support for Ukraine in the long term during a recent meeting in Paris. Stoltenberg was visiting the capital ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next month, where he emphasized that increased support for Ukraine is the alliance’s most urgent task.
Macron’s reassurances come at a crucial time, as France may soon have a new prime minister who is less supportive of EU and NATO policy regarding aid to Kiev in its conflict with Russia. With legislative elections taking place next week, it is expected that Macron will offer the position of prime minister to Jordan Bardella, leader of the right-wing National Rally (RN), if his party secures a victory. The NR handed Macron’s party a significant defeat in the recent European Parliament elections.
In his comments to Stoltenberg, Macron emphasized that France remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and will continue to work towards meeting the country’s immediate needs while also standing alongside the Ukrainians in the long term. This comes as France’s Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu suggested that snap elections could potentially impact defense cooperation between France and its European allies, with political formations sending either a message of withdrawal or one of clarity regarding their stance on international affairs.
Macron’s popularity has faced challenges in recent months, with opinion polls indicating his party is lagging behind the NR. Bardella has stated that if he becomes prime minister, he will not send troops or long-range missiles to Ukraine, describing such moves as “very clear red lines.” In contrast, Macron had previously said he would not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine and announced last month that weapons sent by France could be used to hit targets deep inside Russia.
Despite these potential shifts in policy, it is clear that Macron’s commitment to supporting Ukraine remains a top priority for the French government as they navigate complex political landscape both at home and abroad.