The French president has tried to maintain an open dialogue with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since his troops invaded Ukraine in February.
“We must not humiliate Russia so that on the day the fighting ends we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means,” Macron said in an interview with regional newspapers published on Saturday.
“I am convinced that the role of France is to be a mediating power.”
But Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned him for his comments.
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He responded: “Calls to prevent the humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and all other countries that demand it.
“It simply came to our notice then. Better that we all focus on how to put Russia in its place. That will bring peace and save lives. “
It comes after a second senior Kyiv official said it made no sense to restart talks with Russia until its forces were expelled back to Ukraine’s borders.
Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak made the statement when asked about Macron’s mediation offer on Saturday.
He told broadcasters: “Until we receive the weapons in their entirety, until we strengthen our positions, until we push them. [Russia‘s forces] to return as far as possible to the borders of Ukraine makes no sense to hold negotiations. “