Macron: sanctions against Russia must be strengthened if talks fail
Photo: Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for tougher sanctions against Russia if peace talks on ending the war in Ukraine fail.
According to BFMTV, Macron stressed that diplomacy must remain the priority, but warned that Europe should be ready to increase pressure on Moscow in case negotiations collapse.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that if the negotiation process on Ukraine is rejected, sanctions against Russia will have to be strengthened.
"If the process is rejected, we all agree that sanctions will have to be reinforced, and in any case, we will have to take a position that increases pressure on the Russian side," Macron told reporters in Washington, according to BFMTV.
Background
Earlier this night at the White House, US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders held talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Following the meeting, Trump called Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and announced that preparations had begun for a bilateral summit between Putin and Zelenskyy. According to Trump, this will be followed by a trilateral meeting with his participation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the bilateral meeting is expected within the next two weeks.
