PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says that although dialogue with Russia is essential, “clear red lines” with possible sanctions should also be drawn with Moscow over Ukraine.
Referring to a recent build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border, Macron said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS News: “We will never accept new military operations on Ukrainian soil.” The West must demonstrate diplomacy and credibility to make it happen, he said.
“And I think, after an unacceptable behavior, we should indeed sanction,” Macron said when asked about the possibility of sanctions. “And I think we need to define clear red lines with Russia. This is the only way to be credible. ‘
However, he added: “I think that sanctions in themselves are not sufficient, but that sanctions are part of the package.”
The interview aired Sunday on “Face the Nation.” It was recorded after Macron met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday and the two held a virtual conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Macron and Merkel are demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops concentrated in western Russia as tensions with neighboring Ukraine increase.
The United States and NATO have described the build-up as the largest since 2014, when Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula and fighting broke out between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people were killed during the 7-year conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Germany and France helped negotiate a 2015 peace deal for eastern Ukraine in Minsk, the capital of Belarus.
Since his appointment in 2017, Macron has worked for a constructive dialogue with Russia on a range of issues, and he has continued to promote the need for dialogue in the “Face the Nation” interview.
“I am sure President (Vladimir) Putin can be ready to reopen the dialogue,” the French leader said. “We need an open and honest dialogue with Russia” on a range of arms control issues to stabilize global crises.