Putin warns Macron of Napoleon's fate amid nuclear remarks

In response to French President Emmanuel Macron's assertion that Russia poses a threat to Europe and his proposal to extend France's nuclear deterrent to other European nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that some people have forgotten the lessons of Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia in 1812. Putin did not directly name Macron but emphasized the catastrophic consequences of such military ambitions, suggesting that peace must prioritize Russia's long-term security. Meanwhile, Russian officials condemned Macron's comments as 'nuclear blackmail,' with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov likening him to both Napoleon and Adolf Hitler. Lavrov asserted that Macron's remarks constituted a threat, especially regarding the potential deployment of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Macron, highlighting concerns over the U.S. stance on Ukraine under President Trump, indicated that France would bolster its defense spending and advocate for European military involvement if a peace deal was reached. The escalating rhetoric underscores heightened tensions between France and Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.