Macron advises not to show weakness with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron stated in an interview with Fox News Sunday that he sees Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “strong man” and advised not to be naïve when working with him.
“I think he’s a very strong man, he’s a strong president,” Macron commented. “He wants a great Russia. People are proud with of policy. He is extremely tough with minorities and his opponents,” Macron said, adding that he does not share Putin’s views on democracy. “He’s strong and smart—but don’t be naïve. He’s obsessed by interferences in our democracies. That’s why I do believe that we should never be weak with President Putin. When you are weak, he uses it.”
Macron will be a main guest at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in May. He received the invitation from Putin in September 2017, when the Russian president visited Paris.
Putin is viewed in a similar way by other world leaders. Former US President George W. Bush considers Putin to be a “smart tactician.” He stated: “He is a very aggressive person who wants to restore the influence of the Soviet Union, although the Soviets no longer exist.”