According to the French president, maintaining a dialogue with Putin is essential. The French line differs from the United States in particular, writes ‘s journalist Annastiina Heikkilä.
The President of France Emmanuel Macron spoke again to the Russian president on Tuesday night Vladimir Putin with the phone. According to the French presidential administration, Macron tried to persuade Putin to allow the evacuation of civilians and humanitarian aid into the besieged city of Mariupol by Russian troops.
The French president also said it would not be possible to pay for gas supplies in rubles.
Macron has continued to persevere with Putin, who has been isolated by the West. He has also had regular discussions with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with. In total, these telephone and other talks with the heads of Ukraine and Russia have already accumulated closer to fifty.
Macron is therefore seeking to promote dialogue between Russia and Europe, although he has stated that there is “a lot of cynicism” on the part of Russia in the negotiations.
However, according to the French president, maintaining a dialogue is essential in order to limit the damage caused by the war.
The French line differs in particular from the United States. President of the United States Joe Biden has not spared his words about Russia but has called Putin a butcher and a dictator, among other things.
Biden gave a speech in Warsaw, Poland last weekend, concluding that Putin could no longer continue in power.
Emmanuel Macron has criticized the statement as reckless.
– If we want this [tulitauon ja Venäjän vetäytymisen Ukrainasta] at the time, we cannot escalate the situation with words or deeds, Macron said.
Macron and French relations with Russia has long been its own.
At the beginning of his presidency, Macron dreamed of “Russia opening up to Europe.” He has sought to understand Putin’s thinking, even though it is very far from his own policy of emphasizing individual freedoms.
The thinking is explained not only by Macron’s pragmatism, but also by the long common history of France and Russia.
Macron’s talk drum on Russia first aroused criticism in France among political opponents for naivety, or at least uselessness.
Recently, however, criticism has declined.
In France, communicating with Putin is seen as the duty of France, a European superpower – and Macron is seen as a strong leader.
France is holding presidential elections after less than two weeks. The incumbent president leaves for them as a clear pre-favorite.
Foreign policy has not traditionally resolved the French elections, but this year may make an exception.
Although the telephone conversations between Macron and Putin seem to be taking their toll, they are of more interest to citizens than a boring election campaign.
Macron will not even have time to campaign before the first round of the April 10 election. The war in Ukraine has also rolled down most of the other election themes.
This is ‘s daily analysis of the current theme of the Russian invasion. You can discuss the subject until Thursday evening, March 31, at 11 p.m.