The former Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, Pierre de Villiers•©️France24
Paris, 7 January 2026.- The former Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, Pierre de Villiers, believes that Ukraine can no longer win the conflict against Russia militarily. In his statement on South Radio on Monday 5 January, he called for a lasting peace negotiation, stressing the need for international security guarantees and a just settlement of the territories, in order to avoid a resumption of hostilities and to preserve regional stability.
In his speech, Pierre de Villiers stressed that the conflict does not have a purely military solution and that Ukrainian forces are no longer able to effectively repel the Russian army on the ground. He believes that a peace agreement « Just », particularly with regard to territorial issues, is necessary to put an end to hostilities. For this peace to be sustainable, it also calls for international security guarantees, capable of preventing a resumption of war in the future.
This statement comes as Western diplomats and leaders meet in Paris this week to discuss future security frameworks for Ukraine and potential peace mechanisms, including defence guarantees conditional on a possible ceasefire agreement. However, the issue of territorial concessions remains a sensitive one between Kiev, Moscow and Western allies, as discussions are still ongoing.
The words of Pierre de Villiers reflect a strategic vision that a negotiated political solution would henceforth be the most realistic way to end the conflict in Ukraine. In the face of a conflict that is simmering, the former military leader advocates for a balance between territorial justice, sustainable security and diplomacy, hoping that these elements can lead to a stable peace in the region.
A. J. with South Radio
