French President Emmanuel Macron’s inflammatory address to the nation on Wednesday revealed that European peace is not a priority for France, Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has claimed.
Zakharova took to Telegram to express her skepticism regarding France’s diplomatic stance toward Russia. She pointed out the contradiction between Macron’s aggressive rhetoric and the French ambassador’s recent overtures toward fostering relations with Moscow.
“The most surprising thing is the appointment of a new French ambassador to Russia. Just recently, he expressed a desire to develop relations with our country. But today, Macron himself has admitted that European peace is not a priority for France. So why does the French ambassador come to us? I want to clarify that again,” Zakharova wrote.
The Russian spokeswoman was responding to Macron’s late-night televised address in which he described Russia as a threat to France and Europe, and called for continuing to back Ukraine militarily with or without the help of the United States.
The French president announced plans to bolster France’s military budget, reinforce defense investments, and even raised the contentious issue of using French nuclear weapons to protect the entire European Union. His remarks were met with strong opposition from Russian authorities, including Dmitry Medvedev, Vice President of the Russian Security Council, who mocked Macron on X, calling him “Micron” and predicting his political irrelevance beyond 2027 when his current mandate expires.
He claimed that Russian aggression “knows no borders” and questioned whether Moscow would stop at Ukraine.
“The war in Ukraine, which has left almost one million dead and injured, continues with the same intensity. The U.S., our ally, has changed its position on this war, supporting Ukraine less and allowing doubt to linger on what will come next.
“Peace cannot be concluded at any price. Who can believe today that Russia would stop at Ukraine?” Macron asked.
The French president emphasized the necessity for European nations to strengthen their defenses against what he perceives as a growing Russian threat, claiming the Kremlin plans to expand its military capabilities by 2030, including the addition of 3,000 tanks and 300 new fighter jets.
“Facing this world of danger, remaining a spectator would be madness,” Macron declared, stressing that peace in Europe cannot be achieved through Ukraine’s capitulation. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Kyiv and maintaining a European-led approach to security, whether or not the United States continues its support.
“Europe’s future should not be decided in Washington or Moscow, and yes the threat from the east is returning. And the innocence of these 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall is over.”
The French president also claimed his country was the European Union’s foremost military power, citing its nuclear deterrence capabilities. Amid speculation about France potentially placing its nuclear arsenal under EU control, Macron clarified that while discussions with European allies are ongoing, the final decision on nuclear policy will always remain in French hands.
“I decided to open the strategic debate with our European allies. Whatever happens, the decision will always be made and will remain in the hands of the President of the Republic, the chief of the armies,” he said.
