Macron warns Russia of sanctions as Europe debates nuclear policy
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, stated that European countries aim to impose sanctions on Russia in coordination with the United States. He believed these sanctions could be enforced "in the coming days" if Russia does not enact a ceasefire.
During a televised interview, Macron was questioned about Russia’s willingness to engage in talks in Turkey concerning a ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine. - Our security is at stake in Ukraine. 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 - the president emphasised.
Our intention is to impose new sanctions against Russia in the coming days - said Macron.
He mentioned secondary sanctions related to the sale of financial services, oil, and gas. He added that currently, there is no legal framework allowing the seizure of frozen Russian assets.
Macron indicated that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine should pave the way for territorial negotiations. He added that "even Ukraine admits it cannot recover all territories seized in the conflict with Russia."
The French president asserted that Europe will "continue to invest" to "deter Russia from returning in two or three years to Ukraine." He assured support for Ukraine in the coming years.
Will France share nuclear weapons?
Macron reminded that the French nuclear doctrine has a "European dimension" and explained that he wanted to take action "with all partners who wish it," to "see if we can go further." He then added three reservations:
France will not pay for the security of others and will not diminish what it needs for itself. According to him, 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 express a desire for "French nuclear bombs on their territory, just as the Americans do for certain European countries," Macron referenced 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.
