PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron called onUkraine onMondaytohave `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.

Outlining France`s foreign policy for the coming year, Macron also took aim at Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X and close ally of US president-elect Donald Trump, accusing him of supporting `a new international reactionary movement`.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, is currently occupying about a fifth of its territory. `There will be no quick and easy solution in Ukraine,` Macron said in a speech to French ambassadors gathered at the Elysee Palace.

But he also warned that Ukrainians needed to have `realistic discussions on territorial issues`, clearly urging Kyiv for the first time to consider territorial concessions. Trump has promised to bring a swift end to nearly three years of fighting, without offering any concrete proposals for a ceasefire or peace deal. Both sides are looking to secure a better position on the battlefield before Trump`s January 20 inauguration.

`The United States of America must help us to change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table,` Macron said. Europe will have to offer `security guarantees` for Ukraine, he added.-AFP