Antananarivo: French President Emmanuel Macron has called for American frustration to be directed exclusively at Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as the "aggressor" in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Macron's remarks were made on Thursday during a press briefing at the conclusion of his visit to Madagascar.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron emphasized that Putin's actions contradict his public declarations of seeking peace. "When President Putin speaks to American negotiators, he tells them, 'I want peace.' When he speaks to the entire world, he says, 'I want peace,' but he continues to bomb Ukraine, he continues to kill lives in Ukraine," Macron stated. He stressed that the only response France anticipates from Russia is a commitment to an unconditional ceasefire. "If he says yes, then tomorrow we have a ceasefire," he added.

Macron reaffirmed France's dedication to defending Ukraine's right to live peacefully within its "internationally recognized borders" and condemned the "Russian war of aggression." He reiterated France's consistent stance on supporting the sovereignty of peoples and territorial integrity in accordance with international law. Additionally, Macron acknowledged the efforts of American diplomacy in ongoing peace talks.

The French President, accompanied by his wife, began his regional tour of the southwest Indian Ocean in Mayotte on Monday. He arrived in Madagascar on Wednesday and is expected to participate in the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) summit of heads of state in Antananarivo, where he plans to advocate for Mayotte's integration into the organization. Macron was scheduled to visit Mauritius at the end of the week-long tour but canceled that portion to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.