Political Scientist: Macron Warns Putin

3.05.2024, 15:58
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The President of France made a specific proposal to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with The Economist confirmed the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine. He stressed that he would not give full clarity about his plans so as not to weaken France.

What might Macron's plan be? The Charter97.org website spoke about this with the famous Ukrainian political scientist, head of the Penta Center for Applied Political Survays Volodymyr Fesenko:

— I think that there is no specific plan, literally, yet. This is a political warning to Putin. After all, he says in the context of "breakthrough of the front", "escalation of the war", "the threat of hostilities that may arise for Moldova" and so on.

Macron warned Putin that France, unlike other partners, is ready for more decisive action to support Ukraine and protect Europe. Macron's position should also be considered here in the broad context of European security. Recently, he said that France is ready to take the lead in creating a European security system. Russia's war against Ukraine is a threat to European security.

I said that there is no specific plan. But maybe we just don't know it. Maybe, as is often the case, the military prepares tactical plans, how they can act in a particular situation.

I note that in the matter of sending French soldiers, there is also the issue of coordination with Ukraine. Macron also mentioned this, saying, “if there is an invitation.” This is a proposal to Ukraine.

Ukraine is still cautiously acting on this issue. After all, Kyiv knows that there are disagreements between different countries regarding the presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine. We don't want to become an apple of contention. It is very important for us now not to provoke contradictions within NATO, and it is important to maintain the unity of Western support for Ukraine.

However, I do not exclude that after such statements by Macron, there will be closed discussions and agreements on how to act in the event of a critical situation. For example, when breaking through the front.

Another important thing in Macron's statement is that it is not just about sending French troops to be present in Ukraine. From the context and content, it can be seen that we are talking about their participation in hostilities. This is perhaps the first time it has been so sharply stated.

In general, first of all, this is a warning to Putin, but also an offer to Ukraine. In the event of a critical situation, France can come to the rescue. I think that Ukraine can respond to this proposal maybe informally. Carry out some consultations with France on the coordination of joint actions in such a situation.

Everything will depend on how the military situation in Ukraine and the political situation in Europe continue to develop. Including in relations with Russia.

— Earlier, the media wrote that Macron offered Biden and Scholz a strategy in which red lines would not be voiced, and the Kremlin would wonder future steps of the West. How effective would this be?

— Macron's proposals on Putin's containment strategy and support for Ukraine are more decisive, they can be more effective. The current, more cautious position does not stop Putin but provokes him.

Macron just shows that if Putin goes too far, there is a risk of a military clash. After all, not only the West fears a military clash with the Russian Federation. Russia, too, they just don't talk about it.

They shout, they say, "We are at war with NATO" but Russia is not ready to fight with the entire Alliance. They cannot defeat Ukraine alone, and here they are still at war with the whole of NATO. Therefore, Macron suggests that the Alliance should show greater determination in confronting Russia. This may be a more effective deterrent to Putin's aggression.

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Political Scientist: Macron Warns Putin

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