France urges against prejudging incoming Trump administration's Ukraine stance

ISTANBUL

France on Monday urged against prejudging the Ukraine stance of the upcoming US administration of Donald Trump.

"I believe we should not be prejudiced about the new US administration’s stance and initiatives on Ukraine, and we must give them time to work on this," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at the 7th Paris Peace Forum.

The two-day forum is set to discuss issues such as global governance, multilateralism, climate change, and the future of both Palestine and Ukraine, where the Russian war is nearing its third year.

Attendees of the forum’s opening day included French President Emmanuel Macron, former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qudwa, and Paris Peace Forum head Angel Gurria.

Barrot said the foundations of the international order and European security are being tested in Ukraine, adding: "Ukrainians’ struggle for freedom and independence is also our struggle."

He also stressed that supporting Ukraine against Russia's war is a priority for France and Europe.

Trump is set to return to the presidency in January. As president in 2017-2021, and in the four years since, Trump was seen as broadly pro-Russian and opposed to US military aid to Ukraine. He has repeatedly suggested that he could quickly resolve the Ukraine war.

Reiterating France’s commitment to establishing strong relations with the new US administration, he said: “We believe we need to provide Ukraine with the means to repel Russia’s aggression.”

Baron also stressed that no steps on Ukraine should be taken without the involvement of Ukrainians in peace negotiations.

Thirty different global governance topics will be discussed at the forum, said Gurria.

"The forum begins with a hot geopolitical agenda. Just a few days ago, the US presidential election was held, and Donald Trump was elected. We know that in the coming years, US positions will influence multilateralism and global governance," he said.

Gurria also said this year’s forum would address the future of the UN and how to make the international system fairer and more effective.