CALLS PUTIN AN “OGRE”
Macron said he stood by his earlier description of Putin as an “ogre at our gates,” remarks that drew an angry response from Moscow.
“We say there is an ogre at the gates of Europe. .. this is very much what the Georgians (after a 2008 invasion), the Ukrainians and many other nations feel very deeply,” Macron said. “That is a man who has decided to go down an authoritarian path and impose an imperialism to change international frontiers.”
He added that Putin often says one thing at international talks and then acts differently on the ground.
“The gap between President Putin’s positions at international summits and the reality on the ground shows how insincere he is,” Macron said, pointing to deadly Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv on Thursday.
