Russia has 'already lost geopolitically' its war in Ukraine - Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron believes that Russia has "already lost geopolitically" its war in Ukraine and is transforming into a vassal state of China.

That's according to The Guardian, Ukrinform reports.

"De facto, it has entered a form of subservience with regards to China and has lost its access to the Baltic, which was critical, because it prompted the decision by Sweden and Finland to join NATO. […] This was unthinkable just two years ago. So it's already a geopolitical defeat," Macron said in an interview with the Opinion newspaper.

He said that for Russia to lose the war, Ukraine needs assistance in its upcoming counteroffensive.

"Let's be clear, Russia must not win this war militarily. So it's up to us to see how to help the Ukrainians with their counteroffensive, and how to prepare the issue of security guarantees in the negotiations that will inevitably take place," he said.

Macron also noted that Europe's security architecture would have to fully defend Ukraine.

"I've always said that in the end, Europe's security architecture will have to fully defend Ukraine. But it must also envisage non-confrontation with Russia and rebuild a sustainable balance of forces," he said, adding: "But there are still many steps that must be taken before we get to that."