French’s Macron Threatens Fresh Sanctions If Russia Rejects Ukraine Ceasefire

• Macron Threatens Fresh Sanctions If Russia Rejects Ukraine Ceasefire
• Zelensky invites Putin to peace talks; Russia yet to respond
• EU plans 17th sanctions round, excludes finance and hydrocarbons

French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia within days if Moscow refuses to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine proposed by European powers.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking during an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on Tuesday, Macron said, “Our intention is to impose sanctions,” should Russia ignore the call for an unconditional truce put forward by France, Britain, Germany, and Poland.

The proposed 30-day ceasefire, intended to begin Monday, was jointly advocated by the four European leaders as tensions in Ukraine persist amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. However, Russia has yet to respond formally to the initiative.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to personally join peace talks scheduled for Thursday in Turkey. So far, Moscow has not confirmed its participation or representation at the proposed dialogue.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has imposed 16 rounds of sanctions targeting Moscow. A 17th sanctions package is expected to be finalised next Tuesday. However, critical sectors like finance and hydrocarbons have largely remained untouched by these punitive measures.

Macron also addressed growing calls for the seizure of Russian assets frozen by European governments, warning against such actions. “There is no legal framework for seizing frozen Russian assets,” he noted. “It’s not a good solution.”

While reaffirming support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence, Macron struck a cautious tone about military escalation, warning against actions that could trigger a wider global conflict.

“We must help Ukraine defend itself, but we do not want to unleash a Third World War,” Macron said. “The war must cease, and Ukraine must be in the best possible position to enter negotiations.”

Macron Threatens Fresh Sanctions If Russia

He also acknowledged the complex realities on the ground, adding, “Even the Ukrainians understand they do not currently have the capacity to retake everything that has been taken since 2014.”

Russia had annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014—years before the full-scale invasion began.

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