Macron: From the crisis of France to the reshaping of Europe’s defense

Paris (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron He returned to the Center for Global Diplomacy, seeking To reduce relationships With President Donald Trump, a motive Peace Plan Ukraine In addition to his British counterpart, and seeing his long desire to strengthen European defense It turns into reality.

Six months ago, Macron looked Ever After calling for the early legislative elections, she produced a suspended parliament, which sparked an unprecedented crisis. Macron, known for his unimaginable political activity, has focused on foreign policy, leaving largely local conflicts to the Prime Minister.

Now, he seems to be the only leader who speaks to Trump several times a week and takes the initiative in European support for Ukraine, while putting himself in the position of the only European Union’s nuclear power leader.

The main world player

Macron, 47, is one of the few leaders who knew Trump during his first term in office, despite the differences there is a friendly relationship, which both describe “friendship”.

He was the first European leader to visit Trump since his re -election, and seeks to persuade him not to do so Abandoning Ukraine In the pursuit of a peace deal with Russia.

Macron is also a heavy weight of European policy, and has gave US policies a momentum to its long views.

Since his first election in 2017, Macron pushed Europe stronger and more sovereign. In the same year, in a comprehensive speech at Sorbon University, he called for a joint European defense policy, while increasing military cooperation and joint defense initiatives.

Later, he expressed regret “Brain death” from the NATO military allianceThe insistence on the European Union must ascend and start acting as a global strategic power.

On Thursday, European Union leaders committed to strengthening defenses and liberating hundreds of billions of euros for security in the wake of Trump’s warnings that they might face the Russian threat alone.

Nuclear energy

In a loud announcement last week, Macron announced that he would discuss his extension France’s nuclear deterrent European partners to help protect the continent.

France’s nuclear force inherits from the strategy developed by the hero of General Charles de Gaulle, the president from 1958 to 1969, who sought to maintain France’s independence from the United States and affirm the country’s role as a global power. That went through an independent French nuclear arsenal.

Poland and the Baltic countries Welcomes.

The Minister of European Affairs in France, Benjamin Haddad, praised Macron’s efforts, saying that they were aiming to ensure “in the face of this world, the Europeans are not spectators but players.”

British partners and new Germans

Some other main players seem to return Macron’s approach.

British Prime Minister Kiir Starmer, in his position for eight months, sought defense cooperation with Europe as part of a “Reset” with the European Union After years of bitterness, Britain left the European Union.

Macron and Sarmer is now Driving a desperate diplomatic engine To enhance Ukraine’s defenses, a peace plan with Kyiv is developed in essence. This plan includes the ability to send European forces to Ukraine to impose a possible peace agreement.

Meanwhile, Ferdrich Mirz, winner of the conservative elections in Germany, said his top priority is “strengthening Europe as soon as possible” and gradually moving towards “real independence” from the United States

Just three days after his victory last month, Mirz, who called for a discussion about “nuclear participation” with France, traveled to Paris for a business dinner with Macron.

No statement was issued after the meeting, but French officials who have knowledge of the issue said that the two men’s visions to align Europe. They spoke unknown because the conversations were not in public.

Russia’s criticism

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Macron of “the clarification dictated by the local agenda.”

The ministry said that Macron seeks to pay the attention of the French public from “the exacerbation of social and economic problems in France and the European Union.”

Moscow refused to offer the nuclear deterrent to “very confrontation”, saying that the notes reflected the aspirations of Paris “to become the” nuclear sponsor “of all Europe”, despite the fact that the nuclear forces in France are much smaller than those in the United States

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a comparison with Napoleon, saying that some people “want to return to the era of Napoleon, and forget how it ended” – in reference to the invasion of the failed emperor of Russia in 1812.

It was activated at home

He was re -elected in 2022, Macron struggled last year so as not to become a lame duck after his call to the early legislative elections that led to a chaotic position in Parliament, which led to the approval of the state budget and forcing it to A quick alternative to the Prime Minister.

However, the French constitution gives the president Some great powers On foreign policy, European affairs and defense. Macron has a presidential mandate until 2027 and said he would not step down before the end of his mandate.

Macron’s activity on the world stage has caused criticism from opposition leaders.

The Vice President of the National Rally Party, Sebastian Cheno, described the “Moody” character as “one of the biggest issues” of French diplomacy. “Many people have offended, and often his opinion,” Cheno said.

The head of the France’s solid group in the National Assembly, Mathilde Panot, also expressed its concerns.

She said: “The situation is very dangerous and the President of the Republic has weakened that he decided on his own.” “We don’t just want to consult. … It is up to Parliament to take a decision on such serious issues.”

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The Associated Press Press Vladimir Isachinkov contributed to Moscow to the story.