Direct interaction between Europeans and the Russian authorities should be well organized and conducted without too many interlocutors, believes French President Macron. At the same time, it is unacceptable to transfer this dialogue to the U.S.
French President Emmanuel Macron has once again advocated for the resumption of direct dialogue between Europeans and the Kremlin. Interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin should be "well organized" and conducted in a narrow format, he stated in an interview published on Tuesday, February 10, with Süddeutsche Zeitung, El Pais, and several other European newspapers.
At the same time, Macron emphasized that initial "technical" contacts confirmed that Russia does not have the desire to end the war against Ukraine. He confirmed that in early February he sent his diplomatic advisor to Moscow to prepare for direct contacts with the Russian leadership. "What did I achieve? Confirmation that Russia does not want peace right now. But, above all, we restored these channels of discussion at a technical level," he pointed out.
European approach "without a large number of interlocutors"
According to Macron, he now plans to share this experience with European partners to build a "well-organized European approach" to dialogue with the Kremlin, which should take place without "too many interlocutors, with a defined mandate and simple representation."
The French leader also opposed transferring this interaction to the United States, which is already negotiating with Russia. It is unacceptable to allow American envoys to negotiate on behalf of Europe regarding the date of Ukraine's accession to the EU in the event of a ceasefire, he believes. "Our geography will not change. Whether we like it or not, Russia will still be there tomorrow. And it is right at our doorstep," the French president reminded. After achieving peace in Ukraine, Europeans "will have to build a new security architecture in Europe with Russia," he added.
"Deep geopolitical rift" with the USA
Commenting on the territorial claims of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Arctic, Macron spoke of a "deep geopolitical rift" with the United States. "We are currently in a phase that I would call the 'Greenland moment,'" he noted. This moment, "without a doubt, made Europeans realize that they are under threat" and do not know "how far the Americans are willing to go," he explained.
In Macron's opinion, it is time to "wake up" and "move out of a state of geopolitical immaturity." Europe must ask itself whether it wants to be a "spectator" or a "player." At the same time, the French leader pointed to the "Chinese tsunami at the business level" and "microsecond instability" from the United States. "If we do nothing, Europe will be swept away in five years," he is convinced.
Investments in defense, "green" technologies, and AI
Speaking about trade conflicts with the U.S. and China, the French president once again called for the issuance of eurobonds and strengthening the protection of European industry. "I mean not protectionism, but preference for European products," he clarified. At the same time, according to him, investments should primarily be directed towards the defense industry, "green" technologies, artificial intelligence, and the development of quantum computers.
Macron welcomed the strengthening of relations between France and Germany, which took place after the rise to power of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "The Franco-German partnership is necessary to move Europe forward. But that alone is not enough," he added, also pointing to the strengthening of cooperation between both countries and Italy.
