Overview

• French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the European Commission is preparing a sanctions package in coordination with the U.S., to be imposed if Russia rejects a ceasefire proposal.
• The proposed sanctions would target Russia's financial services and oil sectors, including secondary sellers, marking an escalation in economic measures.
• Russia has rejected the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by Britain, France, Germany, and Poland, instead requesting direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15.
• Macron ruled out seizing €200 billion in Russian assets frozen at Euroclear, citing the lack of a legal framework for such action.
• France has signaled openness to discussing the deployment of nuclear-armed aircraft in Europe as part of expanded deterrence measures.