Macron's Statements Are a Threat to Russia, Says Zakharova

French President Emmanuel Macron preferred public rhetoric over a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was stated by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Macron's statements are a threat to Russia,” Zakharova said. She added that Russia would take into account Macron's statements about France's nuclear umbrella over Europe in its military planning.

“France hopes to force Russia to make decisions that are necessary for the West, but nothing will come of that. Russia's current military development program is a forced response to NATO's aggressive policy. Macron's speech demonstrated who is really betting on the continuation and further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict,” she concluded.