Macron's diplomatic advisers are used to tearing their hair out at some of his off-the-cuff proposals. Photo: CHESNOT /GETTY
“France has always adhered to one principle: we support Ukraine, but we do not wage war with Russia.”
This was the position of the Elysee Palace on Sunday.
In Monday. But President Emmanuel Macron appeared to throw that principle to the wind when he announced — to the apparent surprise of the 25 leaders gathered for a summit in support of the war-torn country — that «sending ground troops to Ukraine cannot be ruled out.» .
Even for the transgressive French president, the change in tone was noticeable. His diplomatic advisers used to tear their hair out at some of his spontaneous proposals, especially his ill-fated call for an international anti-terrorism coalition against Hamas, which quickly sank without a trace. Was this carefully planned or is this another example of Macron going off script?
In any case, since the conflict began, the 46-year-old centrist has gone from Putin's pacifier (in June 2022 he warned against humiliating Russia amid failed mediation attempts) to Europe's chief saber-rattler.
As Ukraine lags behind the offensive Russia, and the US Congress deadlocked over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, Macron is filling the void and taking the lead in Ukraine — at least in name.
“We're taking control The United States, we have intensified our activities,” said French General Jerome Pellistrandi.
“This is a European war,” Mr. Macron said on Monday, hinting at the prospect of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House, which would mean an end to Washington's support for Kiev.
“Should we delegate our future to the American voter?
“The answer is no, regardless of their vote. We must not wait to find out what the outcome will be, we must decide now.”
Since Boris Johnson left No 10, the UK has also softened its aggression towards Putin — although Rishi Sunak has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Western fighter jets to Ukraine.
Increasing rhetoric
Little by little Macron has stepped up the rhetoric, even if this, according to critics, was not accompanied by the supply of French weapons. Paris pledged 3 billion euros to Ukraine this month as part of a long-term security proposal. By comparison, Germany has pledged and provided a total of €17.7 billion, and the UK has already committed €6.5 billion, according to the Kiel Institute.
However, Macron has repeatedly shown that he is not afraid to cross military red lines, despite Russia's warnings of dire consequences.
Last year, he was the first leader to send Western-made military vehicles in the form of radio-controlled vehicles to Kiev AMX-10 wheeled vehicles with a 105 mm cannon installed. This will be followed by an onslaught of allies.
On Monday, he broke another military taboo by talking about ground troops and called for a coalition of Western allies willing to send «tanks, planes and long-range missiles.»
According to General Pellistrandi, Macron is now deeply convinced of Moscow’s “imperialist vision” and that “our security is also at risk on the battlefield in Ukraine, and if we fail Ukraine, we will only postpone the terrible payback.”
For what purpose?
A source close to the matter stated bluntly: “The goal is to send a strong strategic signal to the Russians: “Don’t do anything stupid.” .
Jean-Pierre Molny, deputy director of the French Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), sees its “strategic ambiguity” primarily as a means of deterrence. The talk of ground forces was an attempt to “show that we are united and strong” and to make it clear to Moscow that, in addition to the supply of weapons, “the next step is ground action, and you have no chance of victory.”< /p>The Allies are taken by surprise< p>While no doubt commendable, it is not the first time that Macron's go-it-alone approach has caught several allies by surprise, including Britain, which has said it has no plans to send soldiers to support Kyiv. The head of NATO said the same thing.
The most annoying thing for France's traditionally close European partner is Germany, relations with which have fallen to a record low over the past year.
Opposites in almost every way, Macron and German Chancellor Oskar Scholz tried and failed. to find common ground — even last year's fish and beer weekend couldn't bridge the gap.
President Macron did not seem to like the fish sandwich he ate with Chancellor Scholz. Photo: JOHN MCDOUGALL/AFP
A long-sleeping giant, Germany has reawakened its military ambitions after invading the Ukraine and is refusing to follow France's lead in knocking the Gallic noses out of whack.
On the other hand, Scholz's cautious approach is a source of as much frustration as the persistent Monsieur Macron, who has made it clear that his job is to move the goalposts while others, namely Germany, falter.
In another challenge for Germany, Macron has vowed to abandon his long-standing opposition to using EU funds to buy military goods not produced in the bloc. In doing so, he cast Scholz's refusal to budge on the supply of long-range Taurus missiles in a particularly harsh light.
Many of those who say “never, never” today were the same people who two years ago said: “Never, never tanks, never, never airplanes, never, never long-range missiles, never, never this,” Macron said on Monday, making pointed reference to Germany's foot-dragging.
«I remind you that two years ago many at this table said: 'We will offer sleeping bags and helmets.'»
U Macron has the form to throw a rhetorical grenade in an attempt to shake up the status quo. He famously called NATO «brain dead» in remarks that supporters say were ultimately helpful.
«Let's Let's be humble and recognize that we are often six to 12 months behind schedule. That was the point of today's discussion: anything is possible if it helps us achieve our goal,» he said Monday.
But Given the near-total rejection of his latest proposal, Macron could once again find himself in splendid isolation.
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