Media: Macron demands tougher sanctions to pressure Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger, more decisive sanctions on Russia, urging international leaders to ramp up economic pressure in an effort to compel Moscow to end its ongoing military operation in Ukraine.

President Macron expressed hope that US President Donald Trump’s recent frustration with Moscow would “translate into action,” following a weekend marked by deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Caliber.Az reports via Al Arabiya. 

Trump publicly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media, calling him “CRAZY” after a barrage of drone strikes killed at least 13 people in Ukraine. 

Speaking to reporters in Hanoi at the start of his Southeast Asian tour, Macron said he believes Trump now recognizes that Putin misled him regarding peace efforts.

“President Trump realizes that when President Putin said on the phone he was ready for peace, or told his envoys he was ready for peace, he lied,” Macron stated. 

“We have seen once again in recent hours Donald Trump express his anger. A form of impatience. I simply hope now that this translates into action.” The intensified Russian attacks came alongside renewed diplomatic efforts, including prisoner exchanges and direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.

However, the Kremlin has repeatedly rejected Kyiv’s and Western allies’ calls for a 30-day ceasefire. Macron called for “much more massive sanctions” to pressure Russia into ending the war that began with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

Following a visit to Kyiv on May 10 with other European leaders to issue a ceasefire ultimatum—coordinated with Washington—Macron said Ukraine and its partners should now “give President Putin a deadline, so everyone can see that he is lying” about wanting peace.

“Beyond that deadline there should be massive retaliation, in particular in the form of sanctions,” Macron added.

By Naila Huseynova