Two months before the first round of the presidential election, it is difficult to ignore the Ukrainian crisis. In recent weeks, Emmanuel Macron has multiplied initiatives to try to ease tensions. After several telephone exchanges with Vladimir Putin, and while communicating regularly with his Ukrainian counterpart, he notably went to Moscow on February 8, wearing a mediator’s cap. “There is no security for Europeans if there is no security for Russia”he agreed at a press conference.
Emmanuel Macron, which has not yet formalized its candidacy, has not taken a clear position on the possible integration of Ukraine into NATO, an option which feeds the wrath of Moscow. But on the plane that took him to Moscow, reports The world, he had all the same slipped that a “finlandization” of the country – that is to say a form of neutrality – was one of the options on the table. During the conflict, of course, he also reiterated his attachment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Clearly, the president (and future candidate) blows hot and cold and multiplies efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
The intentions of Valerie Pécresse are clearer: integrating Ukraine into NATO is not “on today’s agenda”she declared at a meeting on February 13, inviting people to show “franchise” with Kyiv. “To the Russiansshe added, we must speak with firmness”, waving the threat of sanctions in the event of a military offensive. But the Republican candidate still wants to give guarantees to Moscow. “I don’t want to bring Russia into the European Union, but I think we should think about a new conference on European security with European countries, with Russia”, she defended on RTL. She even spoke in the language of Tolstoy, on France 5, in order to say “to the proud Russian people” than “Starting a war with Ukraine would be a terrible mistake”.
On Europe 1, February 9, Marine Le Pen directed his arrows towards Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in Moscow “not like the French president”according to her, “but like the little telegrapher of NATO and the European Union”. The National Rally candidate wants France to leave NATO’s integrated command because it “no longer appears as the arbiter she always was”. At a meeting in Madrid at the end of January, she had already distanced herself from the Hungarian and Polish Prime Ministers, as well as other sovereigntist and far-right formations. Sensitive to the arguments of the Kremlin, the candidate had refused to sign a passage of the joint declaration, which affirmed that “Russia’s military actions on Europe’s eastern border have brought us to the brink of war”.
His rival Eric Zemmour also grants Moscow’s demands. “We need a peaceful, peaceful agreement, and for that there is a simple condition: we must commit that Ukraine will never enter NATO.he judged in early February on France Inter. Vladimir Putin’s claim is completely legitimate.” The far-right candidate displays his admiration for the Russian president, “a patriot” Who “defends its interests and the interests of Russia” against the United States who come “enslave” Europe. “Me, if I were the president, I would say: ‘There are no more sanctions vis-à-vis Russia'”he also said in “C to you”, on January 23.
On the left, some candidates are calling for an exit from NATO and a logic of non-alignment. “Let’s stop being aligned behind the American war policy and find our voice”stated in particular Fabien Roussel at a meeting in Marseilles on February 6. The communist candidate advocates “Spaces for dialogue with Russia by extending a hand – a firm hand, but an open hand!” He also calls for a “area of peace and collective security” for the peoples of Europe, including Ukraine and Russia. In the meantime, he sends the noise back to back “boots of Russian soldiers or those of NATO soldiers”.
If Fabien Roussel refuses to decide, the North Atlantic organization is “without a doubt” the aggressor in the Ukrainian conflict, according to Jean-Luc Melenchon. Asked by The world on the Russian mobilization at the borders, the candidate of La France insoumise answers: “Who wouldn’t do the same with such a neighbor [l’Ukraine]a country linked to a power that continually threatens them? He too is in favor of an exit from NATO, he also estimated on France 2 that “notWe, French, have no interest in [une intégration de l’Ukraine]we don’t care”. Jean-Luc Mélenchon adds that he is not “not here to defend Russia” and “We are in a period of balance of power. France’s position, if I chair it, is non-alignment.”
“But who is threatening Russia today?”annoyed for his part Yannick Jadot on franceinfo. The environmentalist candidate affirms, on the contrary, that “It is the dictator Vladimir Putin who threatens democracy in Ukraine”. Statements about NATO, therefore, do not convince him. “That’s what relay Zemmour, The pen, Melenchon…” he continues, denouncing “elected politicians who want to vassalize France vis-à-vis Russia because they reject the European Union”. Yannick Jadot also wants Emmanuel Macron to organize a European summit in Kiev, in order to mark the unity of the EU in this dossier.
Anne Hidalgo, too, advocates European solidarity. At the end of January, the socialist candidate regretted on RTL that the EU was “too passive” in this case, while she “must support these peoples in this former Eastern bloc” and “recognize their aspiration to want to look towards Europe”. The mayor of Paris also defends the maintenance of France in NATO, while working to increase its weight and that of Europe. “Faced with these personalities who, with a lot of typical aggression [Vladimir] Putin or even [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan on Turkey, come and flirt with the rules of international law, you have to be strong”she judges. The socialist candidate is in favor of sanctions in the event of a military offensive.
Christiane Taubirafinally, has been discreet in this case and its position therefore remains to be clarified. “It is not at the time of the crisis that we come to upset the balance of power”was content to indicate the winner of the Popular Primary on France 5, regretting the insufficiency of the diplomatic work “upstream” and advocating greater involvement of the European Union.