Europe 1 with AFP 5:30 p.m., April 21, 2022
On a campaign trip to Saint-Denis, in the Paris suburbs, Emmanuel Macron called on Vladimir Putin to be "responsible" while the latter said Thursday that his forces have "successfully" taken control of the city of Mariupol.
He has pledged to call his Russian counterpart next week if he is re-elected.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday, during a campaign trip near Paris, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to be "responsible".
"On the last hours and the Russian statements and tests, I call on Russia and President Putin as a power endowed (with nuclear weapons, editor's note) and a permanent member of the Security Council, to remain a responsible power and not to give in to any form of provocation, because it would be a profound change in international grammar," said the French head of state, who is aiming for re-election on Sunday against Marine Le Pen.
A call "from next week" in the event of re-election
Vladimir Putin ruled on Thursday that his forces had "successfully" taken control of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, and ordered to besiege the remaining Ukrainian fighters rather than attack them.
The Russian army also announced on Wednesday the first successful test firing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, a new generation weapon with very long range that Vladimir Putin hailed as "unparalleled".
"I will have the opportunity, if the French women and men trust me, next week to call him," said Emmanuel Macron from Saint-Denis.
"I think that we must remain vigilant and united as Europeans, united as allies, continue to dialogue with all the powers, including non-European regional ones, and within the United Nations, to send very clear messages with regard to of Russia", underlined Emmanuel Macron: "There must be no escalation. We continue to work for a ceasefire and peace, but we must not give in to any attempt at escalation, in particular from Russia".