Macron Says France to Back New Sanctions on Russia If Ceasefire Not Reached

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France supports imposing new sanctions on Russia “in the coming days” if Moscow does not agree to implement a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, The Gaze reports, citing Reuters.

“Our intention is to impose new sanctions against Russia in the coming days if Moscow refuses to implement a ceasefire,” Macron said. “We are coordinating in this regard.”

The French president specifically pointed to financial services and oil and gas sectors as potential targets for the next round of punitive measures.

Macron’s warning follows a similar message from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier on Tuesday said that European allies would roll out “a significant tightening of sanctions” if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire.

Merz, like Macron, mentioned energy and financial markets as priority targets. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on Monday that the European Commission had already been asked to propose sanctions in those areas.

Last weekend, the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland jointly declared that Russia would face new penalties if it did not heed their call for a 30-day ceasefire within days. 

That ultimatum has so far failed to shift Putin’s stance. Instead, the Kremlin has suggested direct talks in Istanbul on May 15, a move backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which some analysts say weakens European unity.

As The Gaze previously reported, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the European Union is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if no progress is made this week in ending the war in Ukraine.