(Berlin) “In the event of aggression” against Ukraine, “the response will be there and the cost will be very high”: Emmanuel Macron, alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz, sent a warning to Russia on Tuesday, while announcing that he would speak to Vladimir Putin on Friday, with a call for de-escalation.
Posted at 2:40 p.m.
Alternating firmness and a desire for dialogue, the French president stressed that Westerners were “totally united” and “coordinated” on Ukraine, while Russia has begun military maneuvers at the gates of this country and Washington is threatening to economic sanctions.
“Common reaction”
“We are preparing the common reaction and the response in the event of aggression in parallel,” said the French president, the day after a videoconference between the United States and Europeans intended to show Western unity, a meeting requested by the president. American Joe Biden.
France is making an attempt at direct negotiation, however, with the Macron-Putin phone call scheduled for Friday. Paris is also pleading for a direct dialogue between the EU and Russia, in vain for the moment, in order to avoid a face-to-face Russia-United States which would relegate Europe to the background.
The Elysée has therefore decided to invite the diplomatic advisers of the Russian and Ukrainian presidents and the Chancellor to Paris on Wednesday for a discussion with four countries in the so-called “Normandy” format, in which the Franco-German tandem officiates as mediator of the conflict.
“To give up is to acknowledge that the political situation is no longer on the table. The meeting of our diplomatic advisers tomorrow and the prospect of a future meeting, which will be organized this time in Germany, creates positive expectations and allows things to get started,” insisted the Frenchman.
“I want proof of this in the gestures of the Ukrainians on the bill criticized by Russia” concerning the Donbass. “It is important to continue in this Normandy format, it is the only political format”.
“Is the discussion between the United States and Russia a good thing? Yes ? Did this discussion yield concrete results? I haven’t seen any, ”said Emmanuel Macron. “The discussion with Russia is always difficult, having re-engaged in 2019, I could see that,” he acknowledged.
“But it is important to keep these channels of discussion”, concluded the French president.
“It is with a demanding and lucid will that I will have an exchange Friday morning with President Putin”. If a trip was envisaged, it could be done with Olaf Scholz “for an assumed Franco-German position”, he added, when asked about the absence of Berlin in this initiative. “Friday’s exchange will aim to take stock of the overall situation, obtain visibility and engage in a demanding dialogue”.
“Only one possibility to resolve this difficult situation, by promoting all contacts, all discussion formats”, added Olaf Scholz. “We have to talk to each other, we argue, but we have to try to progress and get out of this delicate situation. I am satisfied with the leadership we are currently seeing”.