The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, which Moscow alleges was launched by Ukraine using "cluster munitions" and under the guidance of the US and the UK.
This event, occurring on December 30, drew a clear stance from France, with the Ministry declaring Russia as an aggressor state, accusing it of pursuing a strategy of terror, deliberately targeting important civilian infrastructure, and violating international humanitarian law.
'Russia is the aggressor state'
"There is an aggressor State, Russia, which is carrying out a strategy of terror by deliberately striking essential civilian infrastructure, in violation of international humanitarian law, and an attacked State, Ukraine, which is acting in self-defense, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter," French Ministry states in a press release, where they call for Russia to withdraw.
"Russia has the opportunity to put an end to this conflict and the human tragedies that accompany it, for which it bears full responsibility. To do this, it must withdraw all of its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. This is the essential condition for restoring lasting peace and preserving an international order based on law."
France thereby makes it clear that they do not condemn Ukraine's attacks in Russia, as they believe it is self-inflicted by Russia
