French President Emmanuel Macron said France will push for greater pressure on Russia and urged the United States to increase its stance.
This diplomatic push follows a recent G7 summit and signals a desire to strengthen support for Ukraine as Russia continues to refuse meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Macron called for additional sanctions against Russia to increase the cost of the conflict [2]. He said it is necessary to coordinate with international partners to ensure a unified front. This effort includes working with Germany's Friedrich Merz to align European sanctions strategies [2].
In a statement regarding his diplomatic schedule, Macron focused on the coordination of allies. "Starting tonight with President Trump, and tomorrow with President Zelensky, we will gather around Ukraine," Macron said.
Macron emphasized that the goal is to create the necessary conditions for a resolution to the war. He said, "We must continue to help Ukraine, strengthen the pressure on Russia, and agree to negotiate peace with the Ukrainians."
These developments occurred around Aug. 29, 2025 [1], as European leaders sought to maintain momentum in their support for Kyiv. The French president said the current level of pressure has not been sufficient to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
By calling for a more aggressive stance from the U.S., Macron is attempting to bridge the gap between European sanctions and American foreign policy. The push for additional sanctions aims to further isolate the Russian economy, and provide the Ukrainian government with the leverage needed for future peace talks.
“"We must continue to help Ukraine, strengthen the pressure on Russia, and agree to negotiate peace with the Ukrainians."”
Macron's call for increased U.S. pressure and additional sanctions reflects a strategic effort to ensure that the burden of supporting Ukraine is shared across the Atlantic. By explicitly linking the involvement of the U.S. and Germany to the success of peace negotiations, France is signaling that European diplomacy alone is insufficient to compel Russia to negotiate with President Zelensky.
