Macron Calls on the US to Impose New Sanctions on Russia in Case of Lack of Will to Seek Peace
In light of current international negotiations and the escalation of hostilities on Ukrainian soil, French President Emmanuel Macron issued an important appeal to the United States. According to him, Washington needs to confirm its readiness to impose new sanctions on Russia if the latter shows signs of lack of willingness to engage in negotiations and reconciliation. These words were spoken by the French leader in Singapore, where he is currently on a diplomatic mission as part of his regional tour of Southeast Asia. The source of this information is the French television BFMTV, which quotes the head of France in the context of his speech during an interview given amid his international tour. In response to a question about the prospects for the next rounds of negotiations with Russia regarding the cessation of armed conflict, Macron emphasized that US sanctions policy acts as a kind of "test of trust," which will demonstrate how willing that country is to act in accordance with shared goals during this difficult period. "I spoke with President Trump just 48 hours ago. He expressed his confusion about the situation, sharing his impatience. And now, the question arises: what to do with this? We (the Europeans) are already prepared to act," Macron stated. At the same time, the French leader stressed that the European Union's position on the immediate cessation of the war is in complete agreement and consistency: "We are not changing our position. We remain committed to the international order, cooperation, open trade, and respect for international rules and norms." The background to these statements was the situation surrounding Moscow's recent actions, which have included increased air terrorist pressure and strikes on Ukrainian cities, as well as the escalation of military activity. Against this backdrop, former US President Donald Trump earlier announced that he was considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia to respond appropriately to the destabilization. However, in his latest remarks, he has so far refrained from direct actions, explaining his decision by stating that sanctions could "ruin" the possibility of reaching a compromise agreement. Thus, the future of the sanctions policy remains uncertain, although European partners' support in this direction remains consistent and unwavering. Through these remarks, Macron once again emphasized the importance of unity and readiness for decisive action in light of the modern challenges facing the international community. At the same time, such rhetoric signals the intentions of European leaders to adhere to a consistent approach in response to the aggression of the Russian regime, while remaining open to diplomacy and negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.