French leader highlights Kremlin deception as Trump considers tougher sanctions

French President Emmanuel Macron, currently on a diplomatic visit to Vietnam, has expressed the view that US President Donald Trump is beginning to recognize that Russian President Vladimir Putin has misled him regarding the war in Ukraine.

Macron emphasized the urgency for Trump’s changed rhetoric to be matched by concrete measures, such as sanctions coordinated with the European Union, to counter Moscow’s aggression, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Addressing the strategic challenges posed by Russia’s ongoing military campaign, Macron underscored that the conflict threatens not only European stability but also regional security in Asia. Speaking to audiences in Vietnam and Indonesia—nations traditionally reliant on Russian arms but now seeking alternative suppliers—he stressed the importance of upholding a rules-based international order amid significant global imbalances.

“I believe President Trump has realized that when President Putin claimed he was ready for peace, he was lying,” Macron said, highlighting the duplicity of Moscow’s simultaneous professed willingness to negotiate and its sustained attacks on Ukraine.

Macron called for the longest possible ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian toll and stressed that the situation in Ukraine is “unacceptable and extremely serious.” He condemned Russia’s use of North Korean forces in the conflict and denounced the Kremlin’s “double rhetoric,” which undermines any credibility of peace efforts.

On May 25, Trump publicly condemned Russia’s recent intensified assaults on Ukraine and indicated he was considering additional sanctions. However, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting his public statements may not be beneficial to Ukraine’s cause.

The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks by describing the situation as a “very sensitive moment” carrying “emotional weight,” reflecting the complex and volatile dynamics surrounding the war.

By Vafa Guliyeva