“And when I hear some defeatist statements about Ukraine, when I hear some leaders calling on Ukraine to accept defeat, overestimating Russia in this war, then this is a big strategic mistake. Because this is not true,” Macron said.
According to him, it is necessary to intensify and expand efforts against the Russian “shadow fleet”, because they are effective and painful for the military economy of the Russian Federation.
French President Macron:
We should definitely step up and expand this effort against the Russian shadow fleet because it is effective—and it is painful for Russia's war economy. pic.twitter.com/Fo7Z0t7ZH4
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 13, 2026
Context
The Munich Security Conference takes place from 13th to 15th February. Ukraine is represented there by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Speaking at a conference on February 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed the opinion that the Russian Federation is not yet ready for serious negotiations on resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war. “This war will only end when Russia is exhausted, at least economically, and possibly militarily,” Merz said.
