Europe pushes for sanctions as Macron backs nuclear talks
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, stated that European countries aim to impose sanctions on Russia in coordination with the United States. He expressed that sanctions could be implemented "in the coming days" if Russia does not enforce a ceasefire.
In a televised interview, Macron was questioned about Russia’s willingness to engage in talks in Turkey to halt the conflict in Ukraine. "Our security is at stake in Ukraine," the president emphasized. "We want a ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air for 30 days. Russia wants the issue of a ceasefire to be discussed in Türkiye."
Our intention is to impose new sanctions against Russia in the coming days, said Macron.
He mentioned potential secondary sanctions related to selling financial services, oil, and gas. Additionally, he noted that no legal framework currently permits the seizure of frozen Russian assets.
Macron indicated that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine should lead to negotiations concerning territorial disputes. He added that "even Ukraine admits it cannot recover all territories seized in the conflict with Russia."
The French president affirmed that Europe will "continue to invest" to "deter Russia from returning to Ukraine in two or three years." He assured us of continued support for Ukraine in the coming years.
Will France share nuclear weapons?
Macron highlighted that the French nuclear doctrine has a "European dimension", explaining his intention to take action "with all partners who wish it" to "see if we can go further." He then specified three conditions:
France will not finance others' security or compromise its own needs. He emphasized that the third condition is that "the final decision will always rest with the president of the republic, as the head of the armed forces."
Responding to a journalist's comment that Poles expressed interest in having "French nuclear bombs on their territory, akin to the American presence in certain European countries," Macron mentioned the presence of American planes in countries such as Germany, Italy, and Turkey. He reiterated, "We are ready to open this discussion. I will define the framework in an official manner in the coming weeks and months."
Macron argued that Europeans need to be prepared to defend themselves, act in solidarity, and maintain a credible deterrent to preserve their freedom.
