Macron urges Trump to take a firmer line with Putin over Ukraine

Gaspard Sebag, Bloomberg News on Apr 28, 2025

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PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron believes the United States is open to ramping up sanctions against Russia after he urged Donald Trump last week to get tougher with Vladimir Putin, he said in a Paris Match interview released Monday.

Macron and Trump spoke about the war and the U.S. peace plan by phone on Wednesday and again in person at the Vatican when the two met on the sidelines of the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the French president.

“I told him once again that we needed to be much firmer with Russia to push Vladimir Putin toward a ceasefire,” Macron said. “I believe I have convinced the Americans of the possibility of escalating threats, and potentially sanctions.”

The French president’s remarks come as Putin declared on Monday a new temporary ceasefire in his war on Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II that was met with criticism from the U.S. as Trump seeks to negotiate a lasting truce.

The U.S. president is eager for a peace deal by April 30, the 100-day mark of his second term. He has been dialing up pressure for an accord that critics say may favor Russia in his bid to end Europe’s longest conflict since World War II.

Macron told Paris Match the change in policy was necessary as it “wasn’t fair” for the U.S. to pile pressure only on Ukraine. The next two weeks will be crucial to secure a more lasting ceasefire, the French president said.