French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Russia's threat to Europe in an address to his country on Wednesday night.
President Donald Trump's recent rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has concerned European leaders and led them to coalesce around Ukraine and offer support.
"I want to believe that the U.S. will stand by our side, but we have to be ready for that not to be the case," Macron said from the Élysée Palace in Paris.
"Whether we reach peace in Ukraine soon or not, we need to be able to recognize the Russian threat and better defend ourselves in order to deter such attacks," he said. "Whatever happens, we need to provide ourselves with more arms, more equipment in terms of defense, to provide a dissuasive force."
Trump paused military aid to Ukraine on Monday. A White House official told CNN the United States is "reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution."
Macron believes Russia will continue to be a threat beyond Ukraine if it defeats the country. "Who can believe that in this context, Russia will stop at Ukraine? Russia has become, and will remain, a threat to France and Europe," he said.
“To remain a spectator in this dangerous world would be crazy," Macron said. "The initiatives for peace are going in the right direction, and I welcome them, and we need to continue to help Ukrainians resist until they can negotiate with Russia a solid and lasting peace for themselves and for all of us. The path to peace cannot be achieved by abandoning Ukraine."
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said during a defense summit with world leaders on Sunday that he is willing and “ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air” to defend Ukraine. Macron signaled a willingness to do the same on Wednesday.
"Our forces will be there if necessary to guarantee peace, not before a peace agreement is signed," he said. "We will continue to meet with allies to move toward the signing of such an agreement. It's a plan for a lasting, solid, verifiable peace agreement, which we're working on with European partners and Ukraine."
Zelensky said on Wednesday that he was grateful for Macron's support. Zelensky praised many European leaders for backing his country after he left the U.S. without signing a minerals deal with Trump or finding significant common ground.
"I am grateful to @EmmanuelMacron for his clear vision and our joint efforts to achieve peace," Zelensky said. "Peace must be real, not just a word — it cannot mean Ukraine’s capitulation or collapse. It must be just, reliable, and lasting, and this can only be achieved through strong and long-term security guarantees — for Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world. We deeply appreciate the leadership and efforts of all those supporting Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities. Looking forward to working jointly on the steps toward peace in the upcoming days."
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MINERALS IN THE US-UKRAINE DEAL
Zelensky spoke extensively on X about his gratefulness to America after his tense meeting with Trump. "It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival," he said.
The Trump administration reportedly hopes the aid pause will force Ukraine to listen to the White House's demands more closely.
Trump said in his address to Congress on Tuesday that he appreciated Zelensky's willingness to negotiate, which Zelensky detailed in a letter to the president.
"I appreciate that he sent this letter, just got it a little while ago. Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussion with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace," Trump said. "Wouldn’t that be beautiful?"