Macron: Frankreich wird ohne Schwäche auf Russlands „Kriegshandlung“ gegen die Ukraine reagieren

PARIS, Feb 24 (Reuters) -France will respond without weakness to Russia’s act of war against Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding that Moscow could expect tough sanctions that would hit its military, economy and energy sector.

„Last night’s events mark a turning point in the history of Europe,“ Macron said in a televised address to the French nation, standing before the flags of France, the European Union and Ukraine.

„We will respond to this act of war without weakness, with cold blood, determination and unity,“ he added.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had also said earlier that France would reinforce its support for Ukraine „in all its forms,“ without specifying whether this could include military means.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Thursday, launching a land, sea and air assault in the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a televised speech from Downing Street shortly before Macron’s intervention, also said the U.K. and its allies would implement a huge package of economic sanctions to rein in the Russian economy.

„I do not believe that the Russian dictator will ever bend the national sentiment of Ukrainians and their passionate belief that their country should be free,“ he argued.

Western leaders are scheduled to discuss further measures through several high-level formats on Thursday, including an emergency NATO meeting.