On Thursday, May 1, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot held Russian President Vladimir Putin solely responsible for the ongoing lack of peace in Ukraine. Speaking in an interview with AFP following his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Barrot made his position crystal clear.
“We have to admit, I think it’s now crystal clear that the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine today is Vladimir Putin,” Barrot declared. He emphasised that Ukraine has fulfilled its responsibilities, including its commitment to an unconditional ceasefire.
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Barrot added that Ukraine “has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire and yesterday it agreed to conclude an agreement on critical minerals with the United States which, according to statements by Ukrainian officials, corresponds, I would say, to Ukraine’s expectations of engaging in economic cooperation with the United States but also with other countries.”
Jean-Noël Barrot Points to Russia’s Inaction Amid Global Calls for Ceasefire
Jean-Noël Barrot expressed frustration over Russia’s continued silence and lack of action toward peace, contrasting it with diplomatic efforts by Ukraine, the United States, and Europe.
“And meanwhile, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has made no effort, has sent no sign that it is ready for the ceasefire and peace that President Donald Trump is yearning for, and that the Europeans and, of course, the Ukrainians are yearning for,” the minister said.
While acknowledging Ukraine’s proactive role, Barrot hinted at the potential for broader international cooperation, including a possible France-Ukraine agreement on rare earths. “France,” he noted, “has expertise in rare earths,” suggesting that economic collaboration could further bolster Ukraine’s resilience.
Europe and the U.S. Move Toward Coordinated Sanctions
As diplomatic efforts continue, the French Foreign Minister also revealed that a new wave of sanctions against Russia is in the pipeline. The European Union, he said, is preparing its 17th sanctions package and aims to synchronise it with upcoming U.S. measures.
“We, the Europeans, are going to support this American initiative with a 17th package of sanctions and I committed yesterday (Wednesday) to Lindsey Graham that we would try to coordinate, both on the substance and on the timetable, these two packages of sanctions,” Jean-Noël Barrot said, referring to the Republican senator’s push for stronger American measures.
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