Moscow has slammed President Emmanuel Macrons push for more sanctions over Ukraine

France has emerged as one of the leaders of the "hybrid war" against Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. She made her remarks after the EU agreed to its 17th package of sanctions.

"It is common knowledge that since 2022, Paris has been one of the most uncompromising participants in the West's hybrid war against our country," Zakharova said during a press call on Thursday.

"Over the past few months, the French have effectively become the leaders of the West's 'party of war,'" she added, citing France's military aid to Ukraine and its push for additional sanctions on Russia.

"France has played a major role in devising illegitimate sanctions packages in the past. Now, it is attempting to blackmail us with new, supposedly broader sanctions," Zakharova said. She argued that the restrictions are part of a "trade war" aimed at "hindering Russia's economic, technological, and humanitarian development, and at undermining its industrial potential." Russia, she added, will have a "measured response" to any new restrictions.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said the EU would impose new sanctions "in the coming days" if Moscow does not accept Ukraine's demand for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Earlier this year, Paris delivered a first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Kiev.

Russia has warned that military aid to Ukraine would only lead to further escalation. President Vladimir Putin has insisted that, for a lasting ceasefire, Ukraine must halt its mobilization campaign, stop receiving weapons from abroad, and withdraw its troops from Russian territory.

(RT.com)