The French president's comments echoed those by German Chancellor Merz, who said European allies would roll out "a significant tightening of sanctions" on Russia if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire.

The new package of EU sanctions comes one day before a direct round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. View on euronews

France's president said Tuesday that he was in favor of imposing new sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. "Our intention is to impose new sanctions against Russia in the coming days" if it does not implement a ceasefire, Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with broadcaster TF1.

Three-day ceasefire in Ukraine that was unilaterally declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month was set to come into effect at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday (midnight Moscow time), as Russia prepares to mark the anniversary of its World War II Victory Day on Friday.

Zelenskyy said on X on Sunday morning that it was a “positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” but insisted on a ceasefire first.

The announcement was made by leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine after a meeting in Kyiv, and a phone call with President Trump.

They said that if President Vladimir V. Putin did not agree to the cease-fire, more sanctions would be imposed.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Vladimir Putin is "too scared" to meet him in Turkey for ceasefire talks on Thursday