On Monday, August 18, French President Emmanuel Macron urged for increased sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin fails to advance peace negotiations with Ukraine.
“President Trump is optimistic about reaching an agreement and believes that President Putin also seeks a peace accord,” Macron stated to reporters following discussions at the White House.
“However, if this process faces rejection, we are prepared to advocate for heightened sanctions.”
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Macron highlighted the recent secondary sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on India, a major buyer of Russian energy due to Western sanctions after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“These sanctions on India have had significant effects,” Macron noted.
Trump invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House three days after hosting Putin for talks in Alaska.
Over the weekend, Trump again publicly urged Ukraine to cede territory, aligning with Putin rather than Zelensky, who remains firm on defending all lands seized by Russia.
When reporters asked if Trump had suggested concessions before any US security guarantees to Ukraine, Macron responded, “No, that wasn’t discussed at all. We’re far from that point.”
He added that Trump and European leaders agreed that Ukraine’s military strength should not be limited in any future deal with Russia.
All leaders in Washington support a “strong Ukrainian army capable of resisting any attacks.”
Macron expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine would resume discussions “in the coming days,” with a possible trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky “in two to three weeks.”
