Of the European Union’s support for Ukraine, which is facing Russian troops, French President Emmanuel Macron said that “our resolve has not changed and we are ready to continue these efforts in the long term.”

In a video message to the participants of the Crimean Platform conference in Kyiv, he noted that “the instability that has occurred in the international system, and the subsequent shocks at the human level, in terms of energy and food, are the result of a choice made by Russia alone to attack Ukraine 24 February”.

Macron stressed: “Before this, there can be no weakness or spirit of compromise, because this is due to our freedom for all and world peace.”

Ukraine’s allies in the West provided billions of dollars worth of military equipment and other aid to Kyiv, helping to prevent its quick defeat. But they have ruled out going to war directly against Russian forces, which now control much of eastern and southern Ukraine.