Faced with Putin, Macron continues his hand outstretched policy despite disappointments

The two presidents must speak Friday in an umpteenth de-escalation attempt in Ukraine. But so far, the desired will of the head of state to dialogue with his Russian counterpart has hardly proven itself.

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The dialogue. Still and despite everything. In full rise in geopolitical fever around the fate of Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron does not deviate from his mantra: you have to talk to Russia, and cling, even when the discussion seems without way out.

The telephone exchange that was to be held, Friday, January 28, between Vladimir Putin and the Head of State is part of the same objective: “Continue the dialogue”, hammered the spokesman of the government, Gabriel Attal, at the end of the Council of Ministers, Wednesday. The French President, anxious to see that spirits warm up, both in Europe and the United States, in the face of the presumed imminence of an offensive of the Russian army in Ukraine, hears at once “push Russia to clarify his positions “Vis-à-vis Kiev, points out Mr. Attal, and the ambassador of a hopeless de-escalation.

Admittedly, less than three months of a ballot where Emmanuel Macron should play his re-election, a geopolitical crisis of magnitude can allow him to establish his stature. In 2008, Nicolas Sarkozy did not distinguished himself during the war opposing Georgia to Russia? France, which occupied as today the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), had been a key player in the resolution of the conflict. If the Ukrainian crisis extends, or degenerates, no doubt that the head of state will argue that he plays a role, in direct contact with the great protagonists of the conflict, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. With from the outset a first difficulty: to be accepted at a table where no one invited it, the Kremlin calling for an exclusive dialogue with Washington.

In France, from the far right to the far left, many of Mr. Macron’s rivals show their proximity or their concern for the Kremlin. What to explain the “at the same time” of the outgoing President? Pro-European convinced, defender of the strategic autonomy of the twenty-seven, he would not hear in France too much space to the pre-claimed premises, even a good part of the continent, partisan of the largest firmness with Moscow.

Charming operation

Paradoxically, the noises of boots on the border of Ukraine give, wants to believe the French president, a new meaning to a hammered conviction neither great success so far. Just elected, Emmanuel Macron had received Vladimir Putin at the Palace of Versailles. Hand stretched on one side, criticism of the other, who intervened after the piracy of the emails of the candidate’s team. and dissemination in the Russian state media of rumors about his private life.

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/Media reports.