Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a return to the age of empires and confrontations, French President Emmanuel Macron said after speaking to Putin on the phone.
Macron said he had called his Russian counterpart on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request. Zelenskyy said he tried to call Putin but failed to reach him.
Macron added that EU sanctions will be followed by French sanctions against Russia. He said that Europe is not just a "market of consumers," but must be a power with "energy and defense sovereignty."
The French president announced €300 million ($336 million) of aid to Ukraine, as well as military equipment.
Macron accused Putin of "duplicity" in earlier talks between the two leaders.
"Yes, there was duplicity, yes there was a deliberate, conscious choice to launch war when we could still negotiate peace," Macron said.
Nonetheless, Macron said that it is useful to "leave a path open" for dialogue with Putin.
Macron said he had called his Russian counterpart on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request. Zelenskyy said he tried to call Putin but failed to reach him.
Macron added that EU sanctions will be followed by French sanctions against Russia. He said that Europe is not just a "market of consumers," but must be a power with "energy and defense sovereignty."
The French president announced €300 million ($336 million) of aid to Ukraine, as well as military equipment.
Macron accused Putin of "duplicity" in earlier talks between the two leaders.
"Yes, there was duplicity, yes there was a deliberate, conscious choice to launch war when we could still negotiate peace," Macron said.
Nonetheless, Macron said that it is useful to "leave a path open" for dialogue with Putin.
Source: DW
