Related coverage from Le Figaro provides further context and analysis on the Ukraine situation in the same reporting stream.

President Macron urged the EU to press ahead with the 20th sanctions package against Russia, a move blocked by Hungary, during joint remarks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

The push for the 20th package comes as Hungary vetoes the measures, prompting Macron to call for continued pressure and swift adoption within the bloc.

Separately, the Ukraine conflict remains active with strikes near Odessa and Zaporizhzhia, drone and missile attacks, and ongoing fighting as the war nears its fifth anniversary.

In a BBC interview, Zelenskiy argued that Putin has already begun a third world war and urged sustained military and economic pressure, contingent on elections and security guarantees.

Macron and Stubb planned to join NB8 discussions on Arctic security with Baltic and Nordic states amid tensions over U.S. policy toward Greenland.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ally urged continued EU support for Kyiv, highlighting Russia’s brutality and battlefield gains by Ukraine.

The overarching EU stance remains to increase pressure on Russia rather than de-escalate, as part of ongoing sanctions and policy measures.

Macron’s call for action was made alongside Stubb, signaling sustained Western pressure over the Ukrainian war.

Both leaders emphasized strengthening Europe’s defense posture in the Arctic amid opposing Russian and Chinese ambitions and questions about U.S. policy.

Officials indicated that discussions on the 20th sanctions package are expected to continue in the coming days.

Stubb framed Russia’s offensive as a strategic and economic failure for Putin, noting NATO expansion by Finland and Sweden as a setback for Moscow.