French President Emmanuel Macron marked the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the scale of destruction and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. “It has been four years since Europe awoke to the sound of Russian bombs in Ukraine. Four years of a war of aggression chosen by Russia, in flagrant disregard of international law, of the sovereignty of a people, and of human life,” Macron said.
Cela fait quatre ans que l’Europe s’est réveillée au bruit des bombes russes en Ukraine.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 24, 2026
Quatre ans d’une guerre d’agression choisie par la Russie, au mépris flagrant du droit international, de la souveraineté d’un peuple, et de la vie humaine.
Quatre ans de villes frappées,…
Macron highlighted the humanitarian toll of the conflict, noting the devastation wrought on Ukrainian civilians. “Four years of cities struck, schools and hospitals destroyed, energy infrastructure systematically targeted to plunge families into cold and terror. Four years, 15,000 Ukrainian civilians killed. Four years of broken lives, violence, rape, torture, war crimes and terror. Four years, and thousands of Ukrainian children torn from their land and their families.”
Despite the devastation, Macron emphasized Ukraine’s resilience. “But four years that Ukraine has held and resisted. One day, the Russians will become aware of the enormity of the crime committed in their name, of the futility of the pretexts invoked and of the devastating long-term effects on their country,” he said. He stressed that Russian forces have only captured a small fraction of Ukrainian territory and highlighted Ukraine’s recent territorial gains.
Macron also drew attention to Russia’s military losses, estimating more than 1.2 million Russian soldiers wounded or killed, the highest number since World War II, and criticized Moscow’s recruitment of untrained foreign fighters. “This war is a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, strategic. It has strengthened NATO, which it wanted to prevent from expanding, united the Europeans it wanted to weaken, and exposed the fragility of an imperialism from another era,” Macron said.
Emphasizing the role of Ukraine as the first line of defense for Europe, Macron reaffirmed France’s and Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. “Financial, military, humanitarian and energy aid: Europe has already mobilized 170 billion euros. At the European Council in December, we agreed on a 90 billion euro loan to guarantee Ukraine predictable funding for the next two years. Nothing justifies calling it into question. We must now make it a reality,” he said. Macron detailed ongoing support, including deliveries of equipment and munitions, training, strengthening air defense and counter-drone capabilities, and maintaining previously provided aid.
Macron warned that Russia must understand that time is not on its side. “So that Ukraine holds and so that Russia understands that time is not on its side. We will also continue to target the Russian war economy: we will stay the course on sanctions and pursue our actions against the shadow fleet,” he said. He also stressed the importance of security for Europe, noting continued coordination with allies and engagement in discussions on future security architecture.
Addressing the Ukrainian people directly, Macron expressed solidarity with those enduring the conflict. “To the Ukrainian women and men: we think of you with emotion. Of your suffering families, your children, those who resist under the strikes. To those who believe they can count on our fatigue: they are mistaken. We are and will remain by Ukraine’s side,” he said.
