Macron warns of Russian threat and vows action on fuel prices in televised interview
French President Emmanuel Macron gave a rare 40-minute live TV interview on TF1 and France 2, addressing a possible Russian attack, soaring fuel prices, and ruling out dissolving parliament again. The broadcast drew more than 8.6 million viewers.
On Thursday evening, September 24, French President Emmanuel Macron gave a rare 40-minute live interview to TF1 and France 2, answering questions from journalists Gilles Bouleau and Caroline Roux. It was his first such interview since 2024 — just three days before he announced the dissolution of the National Assembly back then.
Russian threat
Asked whether a Russian attack on France could happen, Macron answered plainly: "yes." He said Russia is increasingly carrying out hostile, sometimes criminal, acts against European countries, citing the August explosive-drone attack on Leipzig airport, attributed to Russia. According to franceinfo, Macron noted that had the attack succeeded, there would have been casualties on German soil. He also said a new Russian mobilization of 300,000 men is a "credible scenario," and noted the war has already caused 1.2 million deaths. However, he denied reports circulating in foreign media that the CIA had warned French intelligence of an imminent Russian drone attack targeting southern France.
Fuel crisis
Macron said the government is doing everything possible to avoid fuel shortages. He called a potential US ban on diesel exports — an option reportedly favored by President Donald Trump — a "bad" decision, harmful not only globally but also to the American economy itself. His priority, he said, is bringing prices down, and if the situation improves in coming days, prices should fall quickly. He was cautious about cutting fuel taxes, since they fund state spending, arguing it is smarter to help those most in need — though he did not rule out adjusting taxes later. Per franceinfo, Macron identified the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as the main driver of rising prices, while ruling out military intervention there.
Military deployment in Saudi Arabia
France will instead send military resources — troops, radar systems and defense equipment — to protect the Yanbu site on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, a key oil export terminal threatened by Houthi attacks. Macron stressed this does not mean getting involved in any conflict. He also plans to convene G7 nations to release oil reserves.
Elections and political stability
Macron ruled out another dissolution of the National Assembly during his mandate, warning it would add political instability on top of the war, purchasing-power problems and an upcoming budget vote. He reminded viewers the constitution bars him from a third presidential term and urged future candidates to avoid "easy demagoguery."
Viewership
According to Médiamétrie, the interview drew 4.97 million viewers (27.4% audience share) on TF1 and 3.65 million (20.2%) on France 2 — a combined 8.62 million viewers and 47.6% audience share, TV Magazine reported.
