Macron vows to ‘increase pressure’ on Russia

Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will intensify pressure on Russia starting next week in an effort to force Moscow to reach an agreement more quickly.

Despite holding talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, the French president struck a cautious tone, noting that Russia remains a crucial part of the "equation."

In an interview with Paris Match, Macron called for unity and deterrence while expressing satisfaction at having increased pressure on Moscow.

“In the next eight to ten days, we will step up the pressure. It was not fair that the pressure was placed solely on Ukraine,” the president said, without offering specific details on the measures France plans to take.

“We have consistently worked to create momentum for President Zelensky to accept the proposal of an unconditional ceasefire, which he did in Jeddah. We also worked to help the United States secure a ceasefire from Russia,” he added.

(QG - Source: Le Figaro — Picture : © Unsplash)