In war-damaged Irpin, Macron praises Ukrainian 'heroism'

IRPIN, Ukraine: French President Emmanuel Macron praised Ukrainian "heroism" in the face of Russia's invasion on a visit on Thursday (Jun 16) to the Kyiv suburb of Irpin, the closest Moscow's army got to the capital at the start of its invasion.

"It's here, among other places, that the Ukrainians stopped the Russian army descending onto Kyiv," the French leader said. "It represents the heroism of the army, but also of the Ukrainian population. And alongside that, you have traces of barbarism."

In response to a question on his previous remarks that Russia must not be humiliated, Macron said "France has been alongside Ukraine since day one".

"We stand with the Ukrainians without ambiguity. Ukraine must resist and win," he told journalists.

Macron made the trip with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi to the battle-scarred Kyiv suburb in a joint visit to show support for Ukraine.

"From the start, France and Europe have stood alongside Ukraine and its population by providing military aid and equipment, defensive and then offensive," Macron said.

He pointed specifically to the French-made self-propelled howitzers, which have recently entered the battlefield.

Macron also said Europe had begun funding efforts for the reconstruction of "devastated" Ukrainian towns and cities.

The tour of Irpin was designed to highlight what Ukraine and its backers say were large-scale atrocities committed by Russian troops, what Scholz described as the scene of "unimaginable cruelty" and "senseless violence".

Standing by gutted, burnt-out buildings, the leaders looked stern as they listened to a Ukrainian minister explaining what had happened there.

They were shown the wreckage of a car which Ukraine says was targeted by Russian troops when a mother and children were inside. Russia denies allegations that its forces committed atrocities.

The leaders, dressed in suits but not wearing any visible protective equipment, were surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.

Together with the leader of Romania, the French, German and Italian leaders also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support which Kyiv hopes will be followed by more weapons and tougher action to help in the war with Russia.

In the first such visit to the capital since Russia unleashed its invasion, the leaders shook hands with Zelenskyy, who has not left Ukraine since war began.

Kyiv had accused France, Germany and, to a lesser extent, Italy, of foot-dragging in their support for Ukraine, saying they have been slow to deliver weapons and have put their own prosperity ahead of Ukraine's freedom and security.

Ukraine's bid to join the 27-nation European Union, and its demand for more weapons to fight off Russia, are expected to be two main themes of the EU leaders' talks with Zelenskyy, who did not accompany them to Irpin.

Showing a slogan on a wall of a damaged building in Irpin that said "Make Europe not war," Macron said: "It's very moving to see that. This is the right message."

After the leaders spoke to Irpin's mayor and other officials, Draghi added: "Much of what they talked about was reconstruction. Words of pain, of hope, but also of what they want to do in the future."

The Kremlin said the leaders should use their time with Zelenskyy to take a "realistic look at the state of affairs" rather than discussing more arms shipments to Kyiv.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council, mocked the visit as having "zero use" and having "promised EU membership and old howitzers to Ukraine".