Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could ‘return peace to Europe' – de Gaulle's grandson
'Russia is a peaceful people. Russia doesn't want war. Russia wants peace,' Pierre de Gaulle told RT on Monday, welcoming the ceasefire announcement. 'I think it's a very strong symbol, as we celebrate the end of the Second World War,' he said.
'We're also celebrating, I hope, the return of peace to Ukraine and the return of peace to Europe – a peace in which I would have hoped France could play a role.'
He argued that the current government in Paris was making 'decisions contrary to common sense and reason.'
'But I hope that, in the long term, we can once again celebrate the Franco-Russian friendship – which is what my grandfather always wanted,' he said, adding that both nations would benefit from closer ties.
After leading the French resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II, Charles de Gaulle founded the modern French political system and served as president from 1959 to 1969.
In his statement on Monday, Putin urged Ukraine to honor the ceasefire, warning that Russian troops would 'give a proportionate and efficient response' to any violations.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky responded by accusing Moscow of 'manipulation' and called for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
According to Russia, Ukraine violated both the 30-day 'energy truce' brokered by the US last month and the 30-hour Easter truce, despite having promised to respect both arrangements. Putin has argued that, for a comprehensive ceasefire to succeed, Ukraine must halt its mobilization campaign and the West must stop delivering weapons to Kiev.
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