French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning to European allies, urging them not to place trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as “an ogre at our gates.”
Speaking during an interview with French broadcaster LCI on Tuesday, Macron cautioned that Moscow remains a destabilizing force for Europe despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. His comments came as reports indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could soon meet at a peace summit following high-level talks in Europe involving former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Putin has rarely honoured his commitments,” Macron declared. “He has constantly acted to destabilize Europe and has sought to redraw borders in order to expand his influence.”
The French leader added that he does not expect Russia to suddenly embrace peace or democracy in the near future. Instead, he described Putin’s actions as predatory, saying the Kremlin leader “needs to keep eating—including for his own survival. That means he is a predator, an ogre at our gates.”
While Macron clarified that he does not foresee France being attacked “tomorrow,” he stressed that Russia’s aggression represents a looming threat for the continent. “Let’s not be naive,” he warned. “This is a long-term challenge to Europe’s security and stability.”
The remarks underline France’s position ahead of potential peace negotiations, with Paris and other European capitals balancing cautious optimism for dialogue with deep skepticism over Moscow’s intentions.
