Ukraine war: What has Macron said about the need not to 'humiliate Russia'?
Criticism of Emmanuel Macron continued on Monday, following comments reported at the weekend in which the French president repeated his belief that it is important not to "humiliate Russia".
Insisting that France had a role as a "mediating power", the recently re-elected leader said that when the fighting stopped, it would be necessary to "build an exit route by diplomatic means".
Macron's comments in an interview with French regional media echoed similar remarks in a speech in May.
They have been seized upon by critics, who accuse him of a stance that risks selling Ukraine short and may even encourage Vladimir Putin to intensify Russia's aggression.
The French president's comments came towards the end of a wide-ranging interview carried out on Friday and published in French regional newspapers. Much of it focused on domestic issues ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
Asked whether he intended to visit Kyiv soon, Macron said he had gone to the Ukrainian capital "in February to try to avoid war" and was ruling nothing out. Several other Western leaders have made trips to Ukraine since the war started.
The president outlined the extent of Western support for Ukraine, highlighting last week's EU agreement to limit Russian oil imports.
"We have just taken a historic decision with the sixth sanctions package with an embargo on 90% of Russian oil. We want to increase financial and military support for Ukraine. And finally, we want to do everything we can to get grain out of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are fighting bravely, they deserve our support and respect. Arms deliveries to Ukraine are continuing," he said.
He was then asked whether there was a risk of escalation, given arms deliveries and the wish of some of Russia's
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