France’s Macron Condemns Russia’s Recognition of Rebel-Held Ukrainian Territories

France’s Macron Condemns Russia’s Recognition of Rebel-Held Ukrainian Territories
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a news conference on the second day of the European Union–African Union summit at The European Council Building in Brussels, on Feb. 18, 2022. (John Thys/Pool via Reuters)
Reuters
2/22/2022
Updated:
2/22/2022

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of rebel-held Ukrainian regions, he wrote on Twitter on the Monday after convening an emergency national security meeting addressing the latest developments linked to Ukraine.

A statement from the Elysee Palace said the decision was a unilateral violation of Russia’s international commitments and an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Macron called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and the adoption of targeted European sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities on Monday, upping the ante in a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.