Macron, Scholz: Putin shows no intention of stopping Ukraine war

Paris, Mar 12 (EFE).- Russia’s president Vladimir Putin shows no intention of stopping his war in Ukraine, the French and German leaders said following a conversation with the Kremlin chief on Saturday.

Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz threatened sanctions as harsh as those in force against North Korea, Syria and Iran during the telephone conversation with the Russian president on Saturday, sources from the French presidency said.

According to the Elysee Palace, however, Putin showed “no intention” of putting a stop to his war and is determined to meet his objectives.

Presidential sources mentioned a change in tone during the phone call given that the Russian leader did not mention the so-called denazification of Ukraine nor the removal of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy, in a separate phone call, asked Macron to help address the disappearance of the mayor of Melitopol, who according to Kyiv was abducted by Russian forces.

atc/psh