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'We will respond...': Macron warns Russia over Ukraine invasion
French president Emmanuel Macron, who has been engaged in heavy diplomatic lifting between the West and Russia, warned Moscow of an uncompromising response to its attack.
French president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called Russia's attack on Ukraine a turning point in Europe's history, news agency AFP reported. Macron, who has been engaged in heavy diplomatic lifting between the West and Russia, warned Moscow of an uncompromising response to its attack on its neighbour.
“We will respond without weakness to this act of war, with calm, determination and unity,” the French president said in his address to the nation.
“We have tried everything to avoid this war but it is here and we are ready,” Macron said.
He said that sanctions will be “proportionate” to Russia’s military operations, targeting its economy and its energy sector.
“We will show no weakness,” Macron said. “We will take all measures necessary to defend the sovereignty and stability of our European allies.”
Macron spoke to Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday to try and defuse tensions with Ukraine. The telephonic conversation lasting 105 minutes between the two leaders revolved around working out a consensus to achieve a diplomatic solution to end the crisis.
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However, despite Macron's efforts Russia refused to soften its stand and announced it was recognising separatist-backed Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
Putin then secured approval from his government to send troops to the former Soviet state.
And, earlier Thursday, Putin's forces launched a major offensive in Ukraine, using missiles to target military command centres in Kyiv and Kharkiv.
According to AFP, Russian forces have crossed the border into Ukraine.
However, Ukraine is determined not to give up without a fight; AFP quoted officials as saying around 50 Russian ‘occupiers’ had been killed.
At least five Russian planes and a helicopter were also shot down by Ukraine in Luhansk. Russia, in turn, said it had taken out military infrastructure, including parts of Ukraine's air bases, and "suppressed" its air defences.
Russia is facing massive global criticism over its attack on Ukraine.
US president Joe Biden has warned of catastrophic consequences and slammed Putin over what he called a ‘premeditated war’. The US, the European Union, and the UK, and a number of other countries, have announced strict sanctions.
