France and Germany Join Hands on Sanctions and Defence
In a stern message to Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz committed Friday to doubling pressure on Russia, charging President Vladimir Putin with refusing to join peace initiatives. In the French port city of Toulon, the two leaders committed to shipping more air defence systems to Ukraine after Thursday’s fatal missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing 25 citizens, including four children.
Macron threatened that unless Putin agrees by Monday to a highly anticipated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it would confirm the Russian leader’s insincerity. “It will show once more that President Putin has played President Trump,” Macron declared, adding that France and Germany would react with stronger primary and secondary sanctions.
Macron’s Warning: Putin ‘Played Trump’
The French president implied that Putin was intentionally delaying peace negotiations and employing diplomatic moves as a smokescreen while ratcheting up the attacks. He also repeated his previous comment labelling Putin an “ogre at our gates,” a comment which had irritated Moscow. “This is very much what Ukrainians, Georgians, and others feel very deeply,” Macron concluded, blaming Putin for seeking an imperialist agenda to remake borders.
Macron also charged the Kremlin ruler with wearing two faces at global summits and one on the battlefield. “The distance between President Putin’s summit positions and actions on the ground reveals his sincerity,” he stated.
Germany: ‘No Illusions’ on Putin’s Intentions
Chancellor Merz added similar concerns, adding emphasis that Russia’s war on Ukraine was bound to continue for “many more months.” He cast skepticism on Putin agreeing to a meeting with Zelenskyy, calling it part of the Kremlin’s wider game. “We will not leave Ukraine,” Merz maintained, although he did recognize there were “no illusions” regarding an end to the conflict quickly.
In Kyiv meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced that the death toll in Thursday’s attack had increased to 25. Describing the attack as “an absolutely vile strike,” he stated it demonstrated the resolve of Russia to extend the war, not to pursue peace.
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Nuclear Dialogue Between Paris and Berlin
Apart from direct military assistance, France and Germany also committed to launching a strategic dialogue regarding nuclear deterrence. Paris, the sole nuclear-armed member of the EU, will cooperate with Berlin to enhance the security architecture of Europe. Both nations reaffirmed that nuclear deterrence is a “cornerstone” of NATO security and committed to creating a shared strategic culture to address common challenges.
With Russia unwilling to retreat, Macron and Merz’s joint front heralds Europe’s strengthening resolve to meet Putin’s long war militarily, diplomatically, and strategically.
