French foreign minister: Putin must realise war is not going according to plan
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said recent developments point to deepening problems for Russia both on the battlefield and domestically, adding that the Kremlin should reconsider and end its war against Ukraine.
Barrot noted that in April, Russian forces were forced to retreat from around 120 sq km of territory in Ukraine – the first such setback in three years. He also pointed to a worsening crisis in the Russian economy.
"It is time for the Kremlin to open its eyes to its failure and put an end to its unjustifiable and ruinous war of aggression," he wrote on X.
Les armées de Vladimir Poutine ont reculé de 120 km2 en Ukraine au mois d'avril, une première depuis 3 ans. L'économie russe s'enfonce dans la crise. Il est grand temps pour le Kremlin d'ouvrir les yeux sur son échec, et de mettre fin à sa guerre d'agression injustifiable et…
– Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) May 6, 2026
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys added that Russia has ignored Ukraine's proposal for a truce starting on 6 May, calling it further evidence of Moscow's unwillingness to end the war and of the need to increase pressure.
In response to Russia's unilateral declaration of a ceasefire for 8-9 May, Ukraine called for an immediate halt to hostilities from the night of 5-6 May – a position supported by Kyiv's partners including Germany and Norway.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on the morning of 6 May that Russia has resumed airstrikes from the very first hours of the day.