"Not very neat"

Lavrov compares Macron to Hitler after speech

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron as a threat to his country. He also compared the politician to dictator Adolf Hitler. In contrast to him and his predecessor Napoleon, Macron was "not acting very neatly", Lavrov said.

He also accused him of making "unintelligent accusations". Lavrov was referring to a televised speech by Macron on Wednesday. In it, he had considered placing allied countries under the protection of French nuclear weapons and warned against Russia as a threat to Europe. 

"If he sees us as a threat, calls a meeting of the chiefs of staff of European countries and the UK, declares that the use of nuclear weapons is necessary and prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, then of course that is a threat," said Lavrov.

French President Emmanuel Macron(Bild: AP/Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

Peacekeepers "participating in the war"
European peacekeepers in Ukraine would be seen by Russia as a NATO presence. "(...) They mean an official participation of NATO troops in the war against Russia. We cannot allow that". From Russia's point of view, no compromises are possible here. Several European heads of state and government had expressed the idea of sending a European peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine as soon as a ceasefire had been agreed.

Macron was not thinking about peace, had omitted important facts in his speech and had not mentioned Russia's legitimate concerns and fears, said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.