Home BreakingMacron tells Erdogan to 'increase pressure and isolate Russia'

Macron tells Erdogan to 'increase pressure and isolate Russia'

24.02.2023

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French President Emmanuel Macron told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday that there was a need to “increase the pressure and isolation of Russia” to make it “renounce” its “aggression” against Ukraine, reported the Elysee.

“In this regard, the Head of State underlined the challenge of fighting against any circumvention of the sanctions put in place”, added the French presidency after a call between the two leaders a year to the day after the Russian invasion. from Ukraine.

He also felt that “priority should go to stepping up support for Ukraine to enable it to win” against Moscow.

Presidents Macron and Erdogan “reiterated their unwavering attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” and “discussed the useful actions they could take for the benefit of civilian populations and in favor of a return to peace which would be achieved in full respect of the legitimate rights of Ukraine”, according to the Elysée.

The French head of state has claimed since the start of the war to continue to talk with Russia and to reflect on the conditions for future negotiations between Moscow and kyiv. The Turkish president, whose country is a member of NATO but which maintains ties with Russia, is also trying to play a role of mediator.

Turkey maintains good relations with the two warring countries. If it provided kyiv with military drones, it refused to join the Western sanctions decreed against Moscow.

Last summer, the United States warned Turkish companies and institutions trading with Russia, citing possible retaliatory measures. French diplomatic sources also say they want to get the Turks to turn the screw on the circumvention of sanctions.

Emmanuel Macron also issued a joint statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish President Andrzej Duda to also express their “unshakable solidarity with Ukraine”. Their three countries, which form the so-called Weimar Triangle, “urge Russia to cease hostilities unconditionally and withdraw its forces from all Ukrainian territory.”

“The three Heads of State and Government agreed to intensify their coordination and to meet again at a summit in Paris before the summer,” according to their joint statement.