The Head of State answered questions from journalists Anne-Sophie Lapix and Gilles Bouleau. He notably announced the sending of French combat planes to Ukraine, and defended his choice to speak three days before an election.
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After a day dedicated to the memory of the Landings, Emmanuel Macron mainly addressed more current issues, Thursday June 6, in an interview on France 2 and TF1. Lhe Head of State answered questions live from journalists Anne-Sophie Lapix (France 2) and Gilles Bouleau (TF1), from the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in Caen (Calvados), after having participated in several commemorative ceremonies. He mainly mentioned the war in the Gaza Strip, the conflict in Ukraine and the European election organized on Sunday. His choice to grant television interview three days before this election aroused the anger of the opposition. Here is what we should remember from the President of the Republic’s remarks.
Criticized for the timing of this interview, he considers himself “in his role”
Emmanuel Macron was first questioned about his choice to speak three days before the European election, which had pushed several opposition parties to contact the audiovisual policeman. “It was not me who chose the date of June 6”which marks the 80th anniversary of the Landing, he replied, presenting this commemoration as the justification for his speaking out on international issues. The head of state has challenged the idea that this interview represented interference in the campaign: “I find it difficult to understand why talking about the D-Day landings, talking about what is happening in Russia, talking about what is happening with these European elections, is not my role.”
He justifies Russia’s absence from the D-Day commemorations
“A breakup happened in 2022”, with the Russian offensive in Ukraine, explained the head of state to justify the withdrawal of any invitation to Russia for the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Landings, Thursday. Ten years earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in ceremonies in memory of D-Day. From, “L“President Putin has decided to launch a full war”he insisted. “In doing so,has Russia has somewhat betrayed the message of the Liberation and the Landing.”
He announces the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine
“We are going to launch a new cooperation” between Ukraine and France, during the reception of Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysée on Friday, “and announce the sale of Mirage 2000-5″, revealed Emmanuel Macron. The sending of these French-designed combat aircraft, a first, will be accompanied by a “pilot training program”in France, he added. “NOT“We are building a coalition with other partners.” regarding the transfer of aircraft and training for their piloting.
He also announced the desire for France to form, on its territory, a “brigade” of “4,500 Ukrainian soldiers”. Asked about his comments opening the door to sending French instructors to Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron said “that there should be no taboo”adding that it was nots “in itself an escalation factor”. “Peace will only happen if Ukraine can resist”he insisted.
He judges that Russian threats “are a sign of excitement”
“We have organized ourselves to face all the risks” linked to Russia, affirmed the President of the Republic, citing “cyber attacks”, “informational attacks” And “the risks of provocations, as we have had in recent days”, in an apparent reference to the coffins placed in front of the Eiffel Tower. These “threat” are “a sign, also, of excitement on the part of Russia”he estimated.
He confirms the arrest of a Frenchman in Russia
The president confirmed that“one of our compatriots was arrested in Russia”as Moscow announced earlier Thursday. He specifies that this man “works for a Swiss NGO, which serves many major international figures”but what “in no case was it someone who works or who worked for France”. The Russian investigative committee says it suspects him of espionage. “We are very vigilant. He will receive all the consular protection appropriate in such a case.assures Emmanuel Macron.
He reiterates his support for Ukraine’s entry into the EU
Emmanuel Macron recalled “the driving role” of France in launching the process of integrating Ukraine into the European Union, while justifying the time needed to make this accession a reality: “The political signal is sent and afterwards, it is a rhythm, which is also that of the capacity to integrate the Community acquis. And so we are going to help it to do so.” “It’s not a question of months, it’s a certainty”he admitted on the eve of an interview with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.
He recalls France’s support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
Asked about the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Emmanuel Macron recalled his requests for “ceasefire” immediate. Calling for “the release of the hostages” And “respect for humanitarian law”he explained that he wanted to promote “a political solution allowing two States to live side by side, in security for each of them”. Furthermore, he assured that the Israeli head of government, Benjamin Netanyahu, remained in his eyes “a fully legitimate interlocutor” despite the arrest warrant requested against him by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
He remains opposed to the recognition of the State of Palestine by France in the immediate future
Asked about the recognition of a Palestinian state by several European countries, the President of the Republic reiterated his position according to which the timing would be bad. “It’s not reasonable to do it now.”he judged, judging that such a diplomatic gesture would not help end the fighting in the Gaza Strip. “What puts pressure is when we manage to engage powers like the United States and others” to demand an immediate ceasefirehe assured.
“Recognizing Palestine means recognizing which Palestine? A Palestine where you still have Hamas in lots of tunnels?”he also questioned, adding that “the Palestinian Authority must go through reforms”. “France will recognize the State of Palestine when it is an element of a complete whole which allows peace and security for all in the region”he concluded.
Emmanuel Macron also mentioned the two French hostages still being held by Hamas, explaining that France had not “no news”. “I am thinking here of their families, of the anguish they have been experiencing since October 7”he added.
He calls on the French to vote in the European elections
“I call on our compatriots to vote on June 9” to elect their European deputies, launched Emmanuel Macron, recalling that this ballot does not count than a trick. “Not going to vote means leaving the future of the continent and our country to others”he added, referring to British voters who did not come on the day of the vote in favor of Brexit. He called to go vote “for Europe”For “give strength to France, to the voice I carry”and warned of the risk that the extreme right would obtain, on Sunday evening, “a blocking minority in Europe”.
Asked about the consequences he would draw from an unfavorable result from his camp, and about the possibility of a dissolution of the Assembly or a Renaissance coalition with other parties, Emmanuel Macron brushed aside the question: “There will be a vote on Sunday, I will go to vote, and Sunday evening we will see the results. I like to do things in the right order.”