After talks with Putin, Macron believes “the worst is yet to come” in Ukraine

Published on 03/03/2022 16:54

(Credit: Ludovic MARIN/POOL/AFP)

The French president came to the conclusion that “the worst is yet to come” in the conflict in Ukraine afterwards Telephone conversation with the Russian Presidentwho expressed his determination to continue the offensive and that he could “take control” of the entire country, said the French presidency.

In a conversation that lasted an hour and a half, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Emmanuel Macron that the Russian operation was developing “according to plans” and could “intensify” if the Ukrainians did not accept the terms, the French president’s office reported Thursday (3).

“The expectation of the president (Macron) is that the worst is yet to come, because of what President Putin told him,” explained an aide to the French president, who preferred not to be identified.

The Elysee Palace, the seat of the French presidency, noted that the initiative for a telephone exchange between the two leaders (the third since the beginning of the invasion on February 24) was made by Putin, who wanted to “inform” Macron “of the situation. and intentions .. within the framework of a sincere dialogue “between these leaders.

Macron responded to Putin’s accusations about Ukraine by saying that he “made a grave mistake with the Ukrainian regime”, and that he was “not a Nazi”. “You make up stories and look for excuses,” the Elysee quoted the French president as saying.

“This interview made it possible to reconsider the differences, to tell President Putin the truth,” but also, “unfortunately,” to confirm his “determination to continue the military operation to the end.”

“The Ukrainians are fighting bravely. Nothing is guaranteed, but the balance of power is very unbalanced,” the Elysee said, referring to Macron’s “pessimism” at the end of the discussion.

The French president reiterated his intention to “toughen sanctions” against Russia, as “a very powerful tool as we saw with the fall of the ruble.”

Here’s how the conversations went:

candidacy announcement

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed, Thursday, that he will seek a second term in the April presidential elections, in a “letter to the French” published by several media outlets.

“I am a candidate,” Macron wrote, acknowledging, as his opponents fear, that he would not be able to campaign “as he liked” because of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, despite his vow to “explain his” project “clearly.”