Macron on Putin: when we say there is an ogre at gates of Europe, it describes what Georgians, Ukrainians feel very deeply

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said that his description of an “ogre at the gates of Europe” reflected what Georgians, Ukrainians, and other nations felt “very deeply” in response to Russian actions.

Speaking after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Macron defended his earlier remarks, made in response to Moscow’s criticism of him for “vulgarity.”

"When we say that there is an ogre at the gates of Europe, I believe that describes what Georgians, Ukrainians and many other nations feel very deeply”, explained Macron.

He also criticised Putin’s “autocratic deviation”, accusing him of pursuing revisionist imperialism across international borders. “The gap between Vladimir Putin’s positions at international summits and the reality on the ground shows how insincere he is,” Macron added.

Together with Chancellor Merz, Macron emphasised that Paris and Berlin would continue to push for additional sanctions against Russia.