"Putin’s colonial obsession is destroying Russia itself": Jean-Noël Barro on why Europe is taking the helm
While the Kremlin tries to freeze Ukrainian cities, officials in Paris note: Russia has already lost strategically. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in an interview with Libération, spelled it out — henceforth Europe will provide 100% of Ukraine's financial assistance and is preparing an "alternative path" where dictators have no place.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
February 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Europe — the main shield: 90 billion arguments for victory
The world has changed. While political debates continue across the ocean, Paris and Brussels have moved to decisive action. Jean-Noël Barro emphasizes: today it is European capitals that have become the main financial and military rear for Kyiv. These are not just words of support, but concrete steps that are changing the course of history.
France has initiated an unprecedented move — unblocking a credit line of €90 billion. This is a strategic blow to the enemy's hopes of exhausting our resources. While the aggressor is banking on the West's fatigue, Europe, for the first time in its history, is undertaking joint borrowing to guarantee stability for Ukraine.
"To date, 100% of financial assistance to Ukraine is provided by Europe. The bulk of intelligence data and military support also comes from it. Ukraine knows it can count on the steadfast support of Europeans."
– Jean-Noël Barro, French Minister of Foreign Affairs
Collapse of the «special operation»: 1.25 million casualties as the price of madness
Western analysts and diplomats are convinced: the Kremlin's adventurism has turned into the greatest catastrophe for Russia since 1945. Barro cites figures that shock: 1.25 million human losses. This is not just statistics — it is the price of one person's «colonial obsession» that is pushing an entire country to the sidelines of history.
Every day Russia loses a thousand soldiers on the front, and its economy faces an inevitable recession in 2026. The dictator is trying to provoke a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by attacking the energy sector at -30°C, but is receiving a fitting response. France has already mobilized the G7 and sent the first batches of powerful generators to foil the enemy's plans.
Strategic autonomy: Europe will no longer be prey
France proclaims a «Third Way». In a world where old alliances are shaking, Paris is calling on Europe to become tougher. Jean-Noël Barro is convinced: we must stop being «prey for new empires».
- Independence: A complete break from energy and medical dependence.
- Rearmament: A domestic defense capability that does not depend on US elections.
- Firmness: A readiness to employ the most powerful instruments against any interference.
French diplomacy makes it clear: dialogue with Moscow is possible only on the basis of full transparency towards Ukraine. The time of vassal dependence is over. Now Europe determines its own fate, defending shared values side by side with the Ukrainian people.
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