WASHINGTON, July 12. /TASS/. NATO has no plans of directly participating in the Ukrainian conflict, but will support Kiev because it does not want Russia to win, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.

"Although the direct involvement of the alliance in the Ukrainian conflict is ruled out, it is very important that the allies continue to provide effective support. Russia must not win. Not just Ukraine’s future is at stake; it’s about peace and security of everyone on the continent," he said.

Macron went on to say that France and its allies are providing "useful" support to the Kiev government and pledged that it would continue for as long as it takes.

He also accused Russia of attempts to "undermine unity" and "divide" NATO allies.

"We will continue to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense potential in accordance with decisions made during the previous summit," he said.