French President Emmanuel Macron called on Ukraine Monday to have "realistic" expectations on territory as its fight against the Russian invasion heads into a fourth year, saying he saw no "quick and easy solution" to the conflict.

Patriarch Kirill, an enthusiastic backer of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blessed icons and crosses that were to be engraved with the president’s initials and sent to servicemen in the 34-month-old war in Ukraine, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Kyiv needs to be 'realistic' about territorial issues in future discussions to end the Russia-Ukraine War.

About 1,700 soldiers from a Ukrainian unit equipped by the West and trained in France went AWOL before firing a shot. At least 50 members of the new 155th mechanised brigade, one of the few to operate the Leopard 2 battle tank, disappeared while elements of the unit were being drilled in France.

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Ukraine needs to adopt a "realistic" stance on territorial issues as political momentum appears to gather in favor of opening peace talks with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron has extended an olive branch to US President-elect Donald Trump, declaring that France is “a solid ally” as he outlined his vision for global diplomacy in 2025 during his New Year’s address to French ambassadors.

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday will address France’s ambassadors to outline his foreign policy priorities for 2025. In his New Year’s address to the French people, Macron underlined the importance of upholding France’s sovereignty in areas such as defence and security amid ongoing conflicts around the world.

French president Emmanuel Macron extended an olive branch to US president-elect Donald Trump yesterday, declaring that France is “a solid ally” as he outlined his vision for global diplomacy in 2025 during his New Year’s address to French ambassadors.

The European Union came out of the first Trump presidency stronger and must continue to become more independent, the French president told his top diplomats. #EuropeNews

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine must engage in "realistic discussions" on territorial issues, the BFMTV reports. During the annual meeting of French ambassadors, Macron urged Ukrainians to "hold realistic discussions on territorial issues.