Macron warns Russian aggression ‘knows no borders’ in televised address

French president says Europe must prepare for a future without guaranteed US support, warning Russian threat could extend beyond Ukraine

France's President Emmanuel Macron at the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine, hosted by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Lancaster House, London, Sunday March 2, 2025. Picture: Justin Tallis/Pool via AP

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has warned that Russian aggression “knows no borders”, will not stop at Ukraine and is a direct threat to France and Europe which must prepare in case the US steps away from its side.

“I want to believe the US will stay by our side,” President Macron said in a televised address late on Wednesday. “But we have to be ready if that isn’t the case,” he said.