Macron's bold stand. Militarily supporting Ukraine and preparing Europe for self-defence
Emmanuel Macron once again speaks out on military aid for Ukraine. In a conversation with The Economist, the French president admitted that the collapse of the front line, which Russia is currently pressing on, and a possible request for help from Kyiv should prompt the West to consider direct intervention. He also spoke about the threat to several countries.
2 May 2024 17:07
However, Macron noted that Kyiv has not made any such request. At the same time, he mentioned that France sent its troops to assist African countries in the Sahel when their leaders requested it.
The politician reiterated his words from the end of February, which caused consternation among many of France's allies. After meeting with the heads of state and the governments of European countries, Macron declared that defeating Russia was essential to ensure security in Europe. He added that the deployment of Western ground troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out in the future.
Macron speaks categorically about NATO
In an interview with The Economist, the French president said that in the face of an expansionist Russia, Europe's ability to stop further aggression depends on not defining red lines.
In his opinion, Macron stated that there is no question of sidelining NATO at present, but it should be taken into account that the USA will not always support Europe. He added that Europe needs to prepare to protect itself. Therefore, he calls for an existential debate on security on the continent, which would go beyond the institutional framework of the EU and consider European countries outside the community.
The politician claims that if Russia wins in Ukraine, Europe will not be safe, and Russia will not stop there. He is listed among the most endangered countries, including Moldova, Romania, Poland, and Lithuania.
In an interview with the British newspaper, the president of France declared new arms shipments for Ukraine before the start of summer. He also recalled that in February, he signed a bilateral security agreement with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, foreseeing military aid for Kyiv worth up to £2.6 billion in 2024.
In the interview with "The Economist," Macron reiterated his warning from his previous speech at the Sorbonne, stating that Europe, as a safe place, the guarantor of prosperity, and the liberal democratic order, could be at risk of "dying". He added that events could unfold much quicker than anticipated.
The British weekly emphasizes that in the past, the President of France did not want "humiliation" for Russia, and now is one of the biggest "hawks" in the West.
Macron also warns that Europe could fall behind in sectors related to advanced technologies, which, in his opinion, can be partly solved by an injection of public money and deregulation. He also highlights China's role on the international stage ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to France on May 6-7.
The politician wants to keep China engaged in the fight against climate change and encourage his partner to exert pressure on Russia regarding the invasion of Ukraine. Macron also intends to defend European producers, especially against the influx of Chinese electric vehicles.
