The morning headlines focused on France's National Assembly adopting a resolution supporting Ukraine and calling for seizure of Russian assets, with sharp divisions as RN abstained while LFI and communists opposed. By midday, Russia claimed to have recaptured Soudja in Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces appeared to be collapsing.
The afternoon brought Putin's critical response to the US-Ukraine ceasefire proposal, saying "we support the truce" while attaching significant "nuances" and conditions. Zelensky immediately denounced these as "manipulative statements" designed to obstruct negotiations. Trump considered Putin's response "promising but incomplete."
Trade tensions escalated dramatically as Trump threatened 200% tariffs on French and European wines and champagne if the EU maintains its planned April 1st duties on American whiskey. France declared it "will not yield to threats" and is "determined to retaliate."
In domestic news, authorities thwarted a terrorist plot in Vesoul, arresting a 17-year-old planning an attack during Ramadan.