French President Emmanuel Macron estimated today that Russia has already “geopolitically lost” the war in Ukraine, while stressing that Russia is entering “a form of servitude in the relationship with China”.

“Russia has already lost geopolitically,” the French president said in an interview with L’Opinion newspaper, referring to Moscow’s relations with its traditional allies, China or NATO’s enlargement to Sweden and Finland.

“Let’s be clear, this is not a ‘special operation’ since Vladimir Putin decided to call for conscription (…) In addition, Russia is de facto entering a form of servitude in relation to China, it has lost access to the Baltic, the which was crucial for Russia as it accelerated the decision of Sweden and Finland to join NATO,” Macron stressed.

“This was unthinkable even two years ago. So it is already a geopolitical defeat,” he said characteristically, adding: “Let’s be clear, Russia must not win this war militarily. So it’s up to us to see how to help the Ukrainians in their counterattack, how to prepare the issue of security guarantees for the negotiations that will inevitably take place.”

The French president also emphasized: “I have always said that in the long term, the European security architecture should fully ensure the defense of the Ukraine of tomorrow. But this architecture should also provide for a non-confrontation with Russia and rebuild a sustainable balance of power. But there are still many steps to take to get there,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to arrive in Paris later today following a visit to Germany. The French president will host a dinner for his Ukrainian counterpart.

As a statement from Elysee said, the two leaders will discuss “support” of France “in response to the urgent needs of Ukraine, at the military and humanitarian level.”