French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being an “imperialist” who is trying to “rewrite history” after comparing his proposal for extending France’s nuclear umbrella to European allies to Napoleon Bonaparte’s failed invasion of Russia in 1812.
Macron’s comments came during a speech in Brussels, where he said France was a threat to Russia and that the US shift on Ukraine had left Europe feeling vulnerable. Putin responded by saying Macron wanted to recreate the “times of Napoleon”, implying that the French leader wants to conquer Russia.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described Macron’s proposal as a “threat” and reaffirmed Russia’s opposition to European forces being deployed in Ukraine if a peace accord is signed. Lavrov compared Macron to Hitler and Napoleon, saying he wants to conquer Russia but does not openly state it.
Macron hit back at Putin, branding him an “imperialist” who seeks to “rewrite history”. The French president said there was no room for compromise on deploying European military forces in Ukraine if a peace accord is signed.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250307-macron-calls-putin-an-imperialist-after-russian-president-s-napoleon-comments