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Macron Threatens More Sanctions on Russia if Diplomacy Fails
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that if diplomatic efforts toward peace fail, France and its allies should be prepared to escalate sanctions against Russia. Speaking after White House discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, Macron emphasized that while there still may be hope for a negotiated settlement, Russia must move forward—or face increased consequences.
Reference to U.S. Secondary Sanctions
Macron pointed to recent U.S. secondary sanctions imposed on India—aimed at curbing its purchases of discounted Russian energy—as an example of effective pressure. He described these sanctions as having delivered significant outcomes, suggesting that a similar approach could be extended to target Russia directly if the peace process stalls.
Unified Support for Ukraine’s Defense
Macron reaffirmed that all leaders present at the White House agreed: there must be no limits placed on Ukraine’s military capabilities in any future agreement. They jointly supported a strong Ukrainian defense, signaling solidarity in deterring aggression. Macron also expressed hope that diplomatic contact between Russia and Ukraine might resume soon, and held out the possibility of a three-way summit between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy within the next two to three weeks.
Diplomatic Strategy and Solidarity
European leaders—including Macron—are uniting behind Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and security. While diplomacy remains the preferred route, the message was clear: negotiations must now be backed by a credible threat of escalating economic pressure if necessary.
