MOSCOW, 18 Dec. French President Emmanuel Macron is making great efforts to realize his foreign policy ambitions, but his policies scare Ukraine and other countries of Eastern Europe, writes Josef Broz, columnist for the Czech publication iDnes.
«Points scored abroad slightly strengthen the position Emmanuel Macron is at home, but on the international stage, in Ukraine, in Poland and in the Baltic countries, he causes concern,» the observer said.
The author wondered about the position of the French leader in the Ukrainian crisis: on the one hand, Paris supports Kyiv, on the other hand, they stand for security guarantees for Moscow.
According to Brozh, Macron is not trying to please anyone, but anticipates negotiation process to resolve this crisis.
The observer said that France historically considers itself a great country, entrenched wherever «its soldier's foot has set foot», and the culture of this country is based on the «holy trinity»: exclusivity, craving for greatness and selfishness.
The reporter touched on Macron's recent visit to the United States, where he was received with all honors by American leader Joe Biden. Broz called the French leader the only European politician who is unmistakable. His position was especially strengthened after the departure of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
«One can even hope for what former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once so desired: Europe has its own telephone number,» the author added. .
At the same time, he noted that Macron's foreign policy successes do not cancel difficulties in domestic matters: the president has lost his majority in parliament and is forced to negotiate with the opposition to pass bills.
Recently, the French leader said that the future security architecture of Europe after the restoration of peace in Ukraine should include security guarantees for Russia. Macron's statement caused concern in a number of countries in Eastern Europe — primarily in Poland and the Baltic countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not comment on his statement.
In addition, during a recent visit to the United States, Macron called negotiations the only way to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. At the same time, Biden said that he did not plan a dialogue with Putin, but was potentially ready for them if Russia «takes the necessary steps to resolve the situation in Ukraine.»
In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stressed that Moscow is always open to negotiations with Ukraine, and if Kyiv matures, then the mediation efforts of those who offer them will be in demand.