“It is our security which is threatened” by Russia, hammered Emmanuel Macron, Wednesday March 5, during a television address. The president has unveiled several measures, European and French, to respond to the “Russian threat”. “This aggressiveness does not seem to have borders,” said Emmanuel Macron, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, cyber attacks targeting French hospitals, or even the manipulation of opinions on social networks.
France will bring together next week in Paris The Chiefs of Staff of the countries ready to guarantee a future peace in Ukraine, the president announced. He also specified that several “decisive steps” would be taken by the European Union, such as the authorization for the member states to increase their military spending without being taken into account in their deficit. Emmanuel Macron has also announced common funding to produce and buy innovative ammunition and equipment in Europe. “The defense Europe that we have defended for eight years becomes a reality,” he said.
The president spoke on the eve of an EU special summit in Ukraine, in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate. Europeans seek to sketch a common response to the reconciliations between Washington and Moscow. They intend to reassure Ukraine, even if no new military aid is expected at this extraordinary meeting.
Regarding the role of France, Emmanuel Macron said that the country had a “particular” status, since it was endowed with nuclear weapons. The president proposed to open a debate on a nuclear deterrence extended to European allies, while specifying that the decision “has always been and will remain in the hands of the President of the Republic”.
“We will have to make new budgetary choices,” said Emmanuel Macron, who reported that he asked the government “to work there as quickly as possible”. He said new public investments would not be funded by taxes.
“Brutal world”
The president also commented on the change of position of the United States, “our ally”, on the war in Ukraine. “The world continues to be brighter,” he said, saying that the Trump administration left “hovering over the following” of its position on the conflict.
Tuesday evening, the French president had praised the will of his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky “to re-engage the dialogue with the United States”, after the spectacular altercation that the latter had had on Friday in the oval office with his American counterpart. Donald Trump then announced on Monday the freezing of Washington military aid in kyiv, vital to stand up to the Russian army.
Emmanuel Macron, who spoke with the two men after this new striking announcement, also reiterated Tuesday “the determination of France to work with all stakeholders in the implementation of a solid and lasting peace in Ukraine”. Tuesday evening, in a speech in front of the American Congress, the tenant of the White House said he received a letter from Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrating his desire to negotiate “as soon as possible” a “lasting peace” with Russia. This Wednesday, a senior Ukrainian official announced that Ukraine and the United States agree for new discussions “in the near future”.
At the end of the speech, the president also spoke about customs duties imposed by the United States, deeming them “incomprehensible”. He said he “hopes to dissuade” US President Donald Trump.