French president Emmanuel Macron talked to his Russian Counterpart on Thursday in the wake of Russia’s war with Ukraine and is reported to have told him “you are lying to yourself”.
“It will cost your country dearly, your country will end up isolated, weakened and under sanctions for a very long time”
Macron’s conversation with Putin, source: Reuters
Appealing for an end to Russia’s invasion, Macron told Putin that he was “deluding himself” about the government in Kyiv. Announcing the “military operation” in Ukraine, Putin had earlier claimed that the Ukraine had been taken over by neo-nazis. However, during the call that lasted an hour and a half, Vladimir Putin has reportedly reiterated his determination to “demilitarize” “denazify” and “neutralize” Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin outlined in detail the fundamental approaches and conditions in the context of negotiations with representatives of Kyiv. It was confirmed that, first of all, we are talking about the demilitarisation and neutral status of Ukraine, so that a threat to the Russian Federation will never emanate from its territory,” the statement released by the Kremlin after Putin’s talk with Macron said.
“It was emphasised that the tasks of the special military operation will be fulfilled in any event, and attempts to gain time by dragging out negotiations will only lead to additional demands on Kiev in our negotiating position.”
The French presidential adviser was quoted saying “there was nothing that Putin said that reassured us”. After the phone call many in Paris including Emmanuel Macron feel that the worst is yet to come.
