Ukraine: in Versailles, the Europeans continue to advocate a ceasefire
Audio 01:10
French President Emmanuel Macron in talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
on March 9, 2022 at the summit of Versailles.
REUTERS - POOL
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The Heads of State and Government of the European Union have been meeting in Versailles since this Thursday, March 10, to try to overcome their divisions as to the means of reducing the dependence of the member countries on Russian gas and oil.
The host of this summit, President Emmanuel Macron, reaffirmed his commitment to obtaining a ceasefire in Ukraine.
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Relaxed and smiling at the arrival of his guests, the French president looked serious a few moments later in front of the European press.
He condemned the bombing of the Russian army on a pediatric hospital in Mariupol, reports our special envoy to Versailles,
Alexis Bedu
.
In the heart of the city, a hospital was bombed.
Right in the city center, women and children again were killed.
France condemns in the strongest terms what is an unworthy and amoral act of war.
Because it is not an act of war intended to neutralize armed bases, military capabilities, but it is an act of war whose manifest objective is to kill civilians
“Historic Decisions”
Emmanuel Macron asks that all clarity be made on these acts.
And let consequences be drawn.
In the company of Olaf Sholz, the German Chancellor, he once again spoke with Vladimir Putin this Thursday morning.
A political way out of this conflict is possible, he says, even if he remains worried and less optimistic.
We have to be prepared for all scenarios.
Today France depends less than others on gas because of our installed nuclear base, our energy structure.
Nevertheless, Europe depends on gas, on a gas that it imports and 40% on Russian gas.
Emmanuel Macron on Russian gas
Alexis Bedu
“
Europe has changed under the impact of the pandemic, it will change faster and stronger under the impact of the war
”, also declared the French president.
This war will lead the Twenty-Seven to take "
historic decisions
" to "
completely redefine the architecture of our Europe
", he added, wishing "
decisions on energy, perhaps agriculture
", to be concluded at the end of March, but also "
decisions on defense
" with "
probably exceptional advice
" on this file in May.
During this summit, a signal of rapprochement with the European Union should be sent to Ukraine.
Even if there is no question of joining the Union for the moment.
Europe must change.
In terms of defence, energy, agriculture, health, technology, we Europeans must take historic decisions for our sovereignty, for our future.
This is the purpose of this summit in Versailles.
Let's rise up, let's be united.
pic.twitter.com/VAlIhTT3qt
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 10, 2022
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Ukraine
European Union
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Emmanuel Macron