Macron: Russian presence at Ukraine border is ‘absolutely counterproductive and unacceptable’

French President Emmanuel Macron said during an interview aired on Sunday that the heightened Russian military presence at the Ukraine border is “absolutely counterproductive and unacceptable.”

Appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Macron was asked by host Margaret Brennan how France would react if Russia invades Ukraine.

“I think the situation is unacceptable. Russia has to de-escalate. This is clear,” Macron said. “The situation today and the level of tension at the border is absolutely counterproductive and unacceptable. We want now a political process to deal with some Ukrainian regions and … for stability and peace for Ukraine and Ukrainian people”

Brennan noted that Russia has largely ignored sanctions imposed by other countries and NATO, with Macron himself once criticizing NATO as “brain dead.”

“I think what happened a few years ago when Ukraine was invaded, it’s not a failure of diplomacy, it’s a failure of our collective credibility vis-à-vis Russia,” Macron said. “And I think when we put red lines, we have to make them respected by our people and the others. And I think we have to be clear and tough. It was a failure of a naive approach vis-à-vis Russia. I’m definitely in favor of discussion with Russia, with an open, quiet and respectful discussion with Russia.”

Brennan also asked the French president if he believed recent U.S. sanctions against Russia would make any difference to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Macron said he believed a multifaceted approach is needed in addressing the situation at the Ukrainian border.

“I fully share as well as the willingness of [President Biden] to dialogue, and I’m sure as President Putin can be ready to have an open dialogue. But if we want a better system in terms of arms control, if we want to stabilize a lot of existing crises in the world today, we need an open and frank dialogue with Russia,” he said.

“I think we have to define clear, red lines with Russia. This is the only way to be credible. I think that sanctions are not sufficient in itself, in themselves, but sanctions are part of the package,” Macron added.