Macron signals potential new sanctions on Russia amid ceasefire tensions
Emmanuel Macron mentioned in a television interview that "in the coming days" new sanctions may be imposed on Russia. These restrictions would be implemented by European countries "in agreement with the United States."
Macron emphasised that the introduction of sanctions largely depends on whether Russia implements a ceasefire in Ukraine. "The stakes in Ukraine are our security. We want a ceasefire on land, sea, and air for 30 days," he explained.
"If Russia confirms that it is not respecting (the ceasefire agreement - ed.), we want to reimpose sanctions," declared Macron.
He noted that currently there is no legal framework allowing the seizure of frozen Russian assets.
Russia does not want peace
Ukraine and its European allies are trying to pressure Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire that was supposed to begin on Monday. In a gesture of support for Zelensky, the leaders of four key European countries visited Kyiv on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian armed forces reported on Monday that fighting in the east of the country is continuing with the same intensity.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin regarded the Western and Ukrainian demands for a ceasefire as an "ultimatum." The Kremlin evaluated on Monday that such language is unacceptable for Russia.
On Tuesday, Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, spoke out. In an interview with the newspaper "Izvestia," he stated that talks between Moscow and Kyiv could progress further than in 2022.
"If the Ukrainian delegation appears at these talks with a mandate to abandon any ultimatums and seek common ground, I am convinced we can go even further than in 2022," Kosachev is quoted as saying by "Izvestia."
