“France wants to checkmate Putin”
This week, the French head of state met the Finnish president and the Swedish prime minister. This was an opportunity to reiterate his commitment to a Europe of defense.
Emmanuel Macron first met his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, and then exchanged views with Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden. The French president “reiterated to his counterparts the need to build a powerful Europe of defense, security and partnerships, particularly in an international context marked by a multiplication of crises and the continuation of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine”, said the Elysée.
While Trump has just won the US election, casting doubt on the solidity of transatlantic relations, the very same message had already been put on the table at a European Political Community summit.
“The leaders stressed the need to step up support for Ukraine, with the aim of thwarting Russia's war of aggression and restoring Ukraine to its legitimate rights”, said the French Presidency. It added that the important support for Kiev included “strengthening the European defense industrial and technological base, in order to reduce our strategic dependence and reinforce our production capabilities”.
(MH with Manon Pierre - Source : Le Monde - Illustration : Unsplash)