Macron says Russia-US diesel deal 'sends a negative message'

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that US diesel with Russia "sends a negative message" and would have no impact on global prices.

“The volumes of diesel coming out of Russia already exist, they are being purchased by countries and are already on the global market. So it is not true that they will solve the global market problem,” Macron said after a European Council meeting.

“I think this will have no impact for President Trump,” he added.

Macron warned that the decision “sends a negative message and is an element of division or doubt,” describing it as “inappropriate and ineffective.”

He said he would continue engaging with the US in good faith to explain the figures and seek effective measures to lower energy prices.

“We all agree on one thing: diesel, gasoline and gas prices must come down, but this is not what will effectively bring them down. It is not the right answer,” he said.

In an effort to lower prices, Trump last week lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and said Russia will immediately supply ‌more than 300,000 metric tons (2.25 million barrels) of diesel to US and global markets.

He also announced a ceasefire on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine.

Protests in France

Macron called for calm and respect amid student protests in France, while reaffirming support for the government and security forces.

“I call for calm and respect in order to preserve this right,” he said, referring to the right to demonstrate.

“There is a constitutional right to demonstrate and express oneself. It is fully respected, but I believe the right comes with a corresponding duty of respect: respect for people, respect for property, and therefore no insulting and no vandalism,” Macron said.

EU budget and competitiveness

Macron also called for progress on new sources of revenue for the EU budget, warning against further cuts to the proposed European Competitiveness Fund.

“Our message was to say: stop introducing new proposals that bring cuts. We must now talk about own resources,” he said. “We need new own resources for our Europe.”

Macron said proposals to cut the competitiveness fund would reduce the new package by €30 billion (nearly $34.8 billion).

“We have already made many cuts. In truth, the negotiating package we are approaching today has significantly reduced the Commission’s flexibility and damaged the competitiveness fund,” he said.

He said he believed an agreement could be reached by the end of the year.

“It is not so much about cuts today; it is much more about making progress on own resources,” Macron said.

Support for Spain over Ceuta

Macron also expressed France’s solidarity with Spain over the situation in Ceuta, the exclave where thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco, describing the events as “an attack undoubtedly external and multiple.”

He said the episode highlighted the need for European solidarity, expressing surprise that some European countries had not shown support for Spain despite having benefited from solidarity in similar situations.