“WE MUST DEFEND UKRAINIANS MORE THAN EVER”—MACRON CALLS FOR MORE INTERCEPTORS BEFORE WINTER
French President Emmanuel Macron says international efforts must now focus on two parallel objectives: protecting Ukraine and establishing negotiations capable of producing a just and lasting peace.
“We must defend Ukrainians more than ever,” Macron said, emphasizing the urgent need for additional interceptor missiles as Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s power grid and civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.
Macron also proposed what he described as a “double moratorium”: an end to strikes against energy and civilian infrastructure, alongside a Black Sea moratorium intended to protect shipping and allow Ukrainian grain exports to move safely.
The proposals remain diplomatic objectives—not agreements. Russia has not accepted the conditions, and previous attempts to limit attacks in the Black Sea or against energy infrastructure have collapsed.
That makes Macron’s emphasis on air defense essential. Negotiations cannot protect Ukrainian families from missiles already in the air. If diplomacy is to have a genuine opportunity, Ukraine must first be given the interceptors needed to protect its cities, power supply and civilian population through the coming winter.