Putin an ‘Ogre at Europe’s Gates,’ Asserts Macron, Warns Allies Against Trusting Moscow

French President, Emmanuel Macron has urged European nations to remain vigilant in their dealings with Russia, cautioning against placing trust in President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as “an ogre at our gates.”

Macron’s remarks, aired Tuesday on French broadcaster LCI, came as peace efforts between Moscow and Kyiv gained momentum, with reports suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky could meet for a long-anticipated summit.

The push for dialogue followed a flurry of talks on Monday involving U.S. President, Donald Trump and European leaders, centering on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

“Putin has rarely honoured his commitments,” Macron said. “He has constantly been a force for destabilisation. He has sought to redraw borders to increase his power.”

The French leader stressed that Europe must not be lulled into complacency by negotiations, insisting that Moscow cannot be expected to “return to peace and a democratic system from one day to the next.”

Macron has consistently positioned France as a key player in the European response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, balancing calls for dialogue with warnings against Putin’s ambitions.

His latest remarks underscore the deep scepticism within Western capitals about the Kremlin’s intentions, even as peace talks appear to advance.