Macron defends controversial remarks about Putin amid diplomatic controversy
French President Emmanuel Macron faced significant diplomatic backlash from Russia after openly describing Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a ‘predator’ and ‘cannibal’ in his comments on August 29.
Despite the protests, Macron reaffirmed that his statements were justified, reflecting his strong beliefs about the character and actions of the Russian leadership.
He emphasized that calling Putin a ‘predator’ captures the deep pain and fear felt by many nations, including Georgians and Ukrainians, who have suffered from Russia’s aggressive policies.In his remarks, Macron argued that this metaphor vividly conveys the extent of suffering inflicted by Moscow’s expansionist ambitions.
He also denounced Moscow’s imperial revisionist policies and criticized the disparity between Putin’s diplomatic rhetoric on the international stage and the brutal realities on the ground.
Macron reiterated France and Germany’s commitment to imposing additional sanctions on Russia in response to its war against Ukraine.The French leader also condemned the recent large-scale airstrike on Kyiv, which resulted in the deaths of 23 people, and promised to continue working towards security guarantees for Ukraine.
He announced plans to host a summit of the ‘coalition of determined’ leaders aimed at strengthening security assurances and stabilizing the region amidst ongoing conflict.