Macron: We should hold Putin accountable for war crimes

He said this in the interview with CBS News.

Macron noted that Russian missile strikes on civilian infrastructure are war crime: "It is a war crime."

When asked by a journalist whether Putin should be prosecuted for these crimes, he answered: "We must collect all the evidence of war crimes. And this is what we are doing by sending police officers and experts to Ukraine. We must launch all legal initiatives. Therefore, my answer is yes."

However, Macron continues to insist on the need to maintain an open dialogue with Putin.

"I always maintain regular discussions and direct contact with President Putin, because I believe that the best way to restore interaction is to maintain this direct channel. Isolation is the worst thing, especially for such leader," he said.

At the same time, French leader emphasized that Europe and the USA should continue to support Ukraine.

"It is clear that Russia, and especially President Putin, has decided to take on at least energy and food, creating a lot - deficits, instability and inflation. And I think his bid is war fatigue and sanctions fatigue," Macron said.

He also emphasized that he does not see military option to end war: "I think it is important to convey message that it is up to Ukrainians to decide, that the only way to find a solution is through negotiations."

• On December 3, Macron stated that Europe's security architecture should include guarantees for Russia, in particular, the impossibility of NATO expansion. Ukrainian Secretary of National Security Council Oleksiy Danilov reacted to this, stressing that security guarantees are needed from Russia, but not for it.