00:00EU ministers for European affairs have wrapped up talks here in Brussels.
00:04On their agenda was EU enlargement, EU-UK relations, and of course the ongoing war in Ukraine.
00:09For all the insights, our Marie Gwynne spoke to France's minister for EU affairs, Benjamin Haddad.
00:15What we've seen over the last few days is one more criminal escalation from Russia against Ukraine's civilians.
00:21But the truth is, it's also a sign of the utter failure of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
00:27Russia is losing ground on the battlefield, and we see Ukraine's incredible innovation when it comes to drone, for example,
00:34on the battlefield.
00:35It's losing ground diplomatically, and it was hoping for a long time to divide Europeans, that we will weaken our
00:41resolve.
00:42We've seen exactly the opposite. We just recently finalized the 90 billion euro package to Ukraine.
00:48Remember that, you know, just about a year ago when we had President Zelensky's meeting in the Oval Office with
00:53Trump and Vance,
00:55a lot of people said that Ukraine would be forced into a capitulation 24 hours and Europeans would not be
01:00around the table.
01:01What we've seen is Europeans step up and now provide the bulk of the support to Ukraine.
01:06And we see Russia losing ground everywhere diplomatically.
01:10You know, I was just in Armenia recently for the European political community, where we also had the EU-Armenia
01:16state visit.
01:16One more country like Moldova, like Sweden and Finland that joined NATO, that wants to get rid of Russia's tutelage
01:24and get closer to Europeans' norms and standards.
01:28This is the reality of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
01:31If that is the case, as you say, and Russia is being weakened by Ukraine's resistance,
01:37isn't that then an opportune moment for Europe to step in and to say, it's time to talk?
01:43I know President Emmanuel Macron has previously called for this.
01:46No, you're right. President Macron has always said that when the time is right,
01:49we should have our own channel of communication with Russia,
01:52because there's no reason to let the Americans alone at the negotiation table,
01:57when first and foremost, it's the security of Europe that's at stake.
02:00Now, you have to look at the reality, which is that Russia is not engaging seriously in diplomacy.
02:05It's not interested in the ceasefire and peace. It continues its escalation.
02:09So I think the key now is to continue to provide our support to Ukraine,
02:12is to continue to increase the pressure on Russia economically.
02:15We just recently passed the 20th package of sanctions we need to continue.
02:20So just for clarity, I understand you're saying now is not the right time.
02:24And if so, doesn't it make sense for Europe, nonetheless, to be preparing for that time,
02:30including thinking of who could do this role?
02:32Who has the credibility, the clout to speak to the Russians?
02:36No, look, I see that this debate is going on in the media and the commentary.
02:40And you're right that once again, you know, Europeans need to take matters in their own hand.
02:44And so there's no reason why we should let others negotiate on the behalf of European,
02:49of the European security architecture.
02:51So Europeans should be ready also to have their own diplomatic track,
02:56as President Macron has said repeatedly.
02:58But I would say our priority now, clearly, is to continue to support Ukraine,
03:02to continue to increase the pressure on Russia.
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