Moscow criticised Emmanuel Macron on Friday for what it called “vulgar insults” after the French president referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “predator” and “ogre”.
In an interview with LCI last week, Macron advised European leaders not to trust Putin.
“For his own survival, (he) needs to keep eating … That means he is a predator, an ogre at our gates,” Macron said.
He made the statements during a momentous meeting with US President Donald Trump along with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies in Washington.
Russia’s foreign ministry berated the remarks, saying, “They cross the line of not just reasonableness but decency, becoming vulgar insults against Russia and its people,” spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a televised briefing.
Moscow has long attacked France’s support for Ukraine, accusing it of inciting the crisis. France has been one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters since Russia launched its full-fledged military offensive in February 2022, providing weaponry and financial assistance.
