Macron calls Putin an 'ogre at our doorstep'
Photo: Emmanuel Macron (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia has become a long-term destabilizing force and a potential threat to many European countries, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, as stated by Le Figaro.
In an interview with LCI, Macron noted that since 2007–2008, Vladimir Putin has rarely kept his promises and has consistently sought to redraw borders to strengthen his power.
According to Macron, Russia spends about 40% of its budget on armaments and has assembled an army of over 1.3 million troops. This indicates that the country is not ready to quickly return to peace and an open democratic order.
"Putin is an ogre at our doorstep"
Macron emphasized that Europeans should not be naive. He said Putin behaves like a predator, "an ogre at our doorstep," who must continue feeding to survive.
The French president added that he is not claiming a direct threat of an attack on France. However, he is certain that Russia’s actions pose a constant risk to all of Europe.
Disagreements with Trump
Macron’s interview came after a meeting in Washington where Donald Trump and European leaders discussed the situation. Plans were announced for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At the same time, Macron told NBC News that he does not share Trump’s optimism about achieving a peace agreement. According to him, the facts show that Putin currently has no interest in peace, although he admitted that he might seem “too pessimistic.”
Macron also called for stronger sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails in negotiations.
