R&I – TXPAT *^*^*^
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Sunday against the use of escalating “words or actions” if a ceasefire or withdrawal of Russian troops in the war in Ukraine is to be achieved.
Driving the news: Macron’s comments, during an interview with France 3, come a day after Biden said in a speech in Poland that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” calling Putin a “butcher.” U.S. officials quickly walked back the comment, telling reporters the U.S. isn’t seeking regime change in Russia.
What he’s saying: Macron, who has been part of diplomatic efforts reaching out to both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was asked about Biden’s comments calling Putin a “butcher.”
- Macron said he would not use Biden’s words because he’s still in talks with Putin.
“We want to stop the war that Russia has launched in Ukraine without waging war and without escalation. This is the objective,” Macron said. “We made the choice not to intervene in the conflict militarily, he said, noting that France’s diplomatic goals are to negotiate a ceasefire or a withdrawal of Russian troops.
- “If we want to do this, we must not be in the escalation, of neither words nor actions.”
John Smithe
Article URL : https://www.axios.com/macron-putin-biden-escalate-fac7b67c-307b-4d54-b44c-f9ecac6290f9.html