President Emmanuel Macron has said that France did not want to unleash “World War III” over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, vowing referendums on key issues as he outlined his aims for for the remaining two years of his mandate in a marathon television appearance.
Macron, who came to power in 2017 promising radical change, will step down in 2027 after serving the maximum two terms allowed under the constitution.
On occasion over the last year, Macron has appeared as a lame duck especially after his decision to hold snap legislative elections backfired, leaving the far-right as the biggest party in parliament and his own party a diminished, minority presence.
But recent months have seen a newly energised Macron, boosted by his presence on the international front as he seeks to bring an end to the three-year-war sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We must help Ukraine defend itself but we do not want to unleash a Third World War,” Macron said in an interview on Tuesday night that lasted more than three hours.
“The war must cease and Ukraine must be in the best possible situation to go into negotiations.”
France insists on ceasefire as Russia agrees to direct talks with Ukraine
Weapons on the table
“The Americans have the bombs on planes in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey,” Macron said.
“We are ready to open this discussion. I will define the framework in a very specific way in the weeks and months to come.”
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