French President Supports New Sanctions To Russia If Putin Doesn't Kick Ukraine's Armistice

French President Emmanuel Macron has supported the implementation of new sanctions against Russia in the coming days if Moscow fails to agree to a ceasefire, citing financial services and oil and gas as targets.

"Our goal is to impose new sanctions on Russia in the coming days if Moscow refuses to implement a ceasefire," Macron said in a key interview at TF1.

"We are coordinating in this regard," he added.

Macron's remarks echoed a statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who said European allies would impose "significant sanctions tightening" against Russia if President Vladimir Putin disagreed with the ceasefire.

Merz also mentioned that sectors including energy and financial markets are possible targets.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday the European Commission had been asked to propose new sanctions in those areas.

British, French, German and Polish leaders said on Saturday Russia would be subject to new punitive action if they did not heed calls for a 30-day ceasefire in as many days.

The promise failed to move Putin, who instead called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15. US President Donald Trump supports the call, which undermines the efforts of European leaders to show Trump truly supports their threats.

Diplomats said that after 16 packages of sanctions were imposed on Russia by the EU over the war in Ukraine, it would be increasingly difficult to reach the unanimous votes needed among the 27 block members to pass key new measures.