Newly re-elected Macron to toughen stance on Russia: Analysts

Samuel Ramani, associate fellow at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said he believes Macron will transform his rhetoric into action – as well as double down on diplomatic efforts. “Now that Le Pen has lost, Macron will push for a full energy embargo, as he has already said that France doesn’t depend on Russian gas,” he told Al Jazeera. The French president will also “build on recent heavy artillery transfers to Ukraine and the 100 million euros [$106m] in arms sent in the first two months of the war”. With the election pressure gone, Macron “will have more freedom to engage with Putin diplomatically while making French policy towards Russia tougher”, Ramani added.