Vladimir Putin is a "predator, an ogre at our doorstep" who "must continue to eat" in order to "survive," warned Emmanuel Macron, calling on Europeans not to be "naive" toward Russia, which will remain a "permanent destabilizing force."

"Since 2007-2008 (the Russian intervention in Georgia, ed.), President Putin has rarely honored his commitments. He has been a constant destabilizing force. And he has sought to redraw borders to expand his power," the French president said, quoted by AFP.

The French president believes that "Russia has become a lasting destabilizing force and a potential threat to many of us."

"A country that invests 40% of its budget in such equipment, that mobilizes an army of over 1.3 million people, will not return to peace and an open democratic system overnight," he warned.

"So, including for his own survival, he (Putin) must continue to feed himself. That's it. And that's why he's a predator, he's a huge beast at our gates. I'm not saying that France will be attacked tomorrow, but it is a threat to Europeans. We must not be naive," the head of state insisted.

The interview was given after the meeting in Washington between Donald Trump and several European leaders, at which a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin was announced.

In another interview, however, Emmanuel Macron did not hide his disagreement with Donald Trump's optimism about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement.

"When I look at the situation and the facts, I don't see President Putin wanting peace at the moment, but maybe I'm too pessimistic," he said. | BGNES