France, May 14 -- President Emmanuel Macron has said that France did not want to unleash "World War III" over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, vowing referendums on key issues as he outlined his aims for for the remaining two years of his mandate in a marathon television appearance.

Macron, who came to power in 2017 promising radical change, will step down in 2027 after serving the maximum two terms allowed under the constitution.

On occasion over the last year, Macron has appeared as a lame duck especially after his decision to hold snap legislative elections backfired, leaving the far-right as the biggest party in parliament and his own party a diminished, minority presence.

But recent months have seen a newly energised Macron, boosted ...