Russia hits back at Macron speech as Europe faces tough choices on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin pictured at a meeting on the development of the rare earth metals industry via videoconference at his Novo-Ogarevo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, 24 February 2025. © Alexei Babushkin / AP

As tensions escalate over the future of Ukraine's defence, Russian officials have slammed French President Emmanuel Macron’s stark warnings about Moscow’s threat to Europe.

Russia has responded with scorn to French President Emmanuel Macron’s televised speech, in which he warned that Russia poses a direct threat to France and Europe.