France's Macron Threatens Fresh Sanctions On Russia If No Ceasefire

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes after he suggested he might take part in such a meeting. The idea was quickly seized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

French President Emmanuel Macron threatens new sanctions on Russia.

Source : PTI

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday threatened new sanctions on Russiaa in coming days if Moscow failed to agree to a ceasefire, with financial services and oil and gas as possible targets. 

"Our intention is to impose new sanctions against Russia in the coming days" if Moscow refuses to implement a ceasefire, said the President in an interview to a French media television news channel. 

"We are coordinating in this regard," he added. 

Macron's comment came after similar remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier on Tuesday who said European allies would roll out a "significant tightening of sanctions" on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire. 

Merz also mentioned sectors including energy and financial markets as potential targets. 

On Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the European Commission had been asked to propose new sanctions in those areas. 

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland warned on Saturday that Russia would be hit by new punitive measures if it did not heed calls for a 30-day ceasefire within days. 

However, the pledge failed to move Putin who intead called for direct talks with Ukrain in Istanbul on May 15. US President Donald Trump backed the call undermining efforts by the EU leaders to show Trump was firmly on board with their threat. 

Trump Suggests Attending Truce Talks 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes after he suggested he might take part in such a meeting. The idea was quickly seized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“I supported Donald Trump with the idea of ​​a complete and unconditional ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said on Monday. “I supported President Trump with the idea of ​​direct talks with Putin," he added, reported New York Times. 

“Of course, all of us in Ukraine would like President Trump to be there with us — at this meeting in Turkey. This is the right idea," the Ukrainian President said.