This time, it is the president who speaks, the chief of the armies.
This Thursday, the main Western leaders met in Brussels within the framework of a triple summit: that of NATO and the G7 this morning, and that of the European Council, to come in the evening.
Emmanuel Macron took the opportunity to resume his executive hat and present the progress of the first two meetings.
On the program: the creation of a food security plan, and the reaffirmation of the line taken by France and its partners, vis-à-vis Putin and the war in Ukraine.
An emergency plan for food security
In order to respond to the risk of "famine" in many countries dependent on deliveries of raw materials from Russia or Ukraine, two very large food producers, Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of an emergency plan for security food, in partnership with the G7 countries.
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Speaking after G7 and NATO summits, the French president called on Moscow to be "responsible" by allowing sowing in Ukraine to take place, failing which the war will cause in 12 to 18 months "an inevitable famine », with in particular the risk of grain shortages in Egypt and North Africa.
If the food crisis promises to be unprecedented, France will be relatively spared, as it continues to produce some of its raw materials.
Russia “in default”
For the French president, Russia is in default of payment while according to the information of the world it had not discharged certain payments, launching a countdown of 30 days.
A way of putting pressure on Russia's creditors, while hinting that a higher level of sanction is possible: "We are ready to increase the sanctions," Macron said.
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At the same time, the G7 countries assured that they would "spare no effort" to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and his supporters, including the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, "accountable" for the invasion of Ukraine.
Westerners say they are ready to adopt additional sanctions
Send tanks and planes, synonymous with co-belligerence
"Our limit is not to become co-belligerents", recalled Emmanuel Macron, in particular challenged on a possible red line crossed by the Russian government in the event of the use of unconventional weapons in Ukraine and while the G7 warned against “any threat of the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons or related material”.
Thus, France refuses to issue a booklet of tanks and planes, weapons requested by Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, because this "would characterize a co-belligerence".
A way to formalize a de facto position, since the failure of negotiations between the Americans and the Poles to provide pilotable planes to Ukraine.
“NATO will continue to supply defensive and lethal armaments to Ukraine”, however indicated Emmanuel Macron, specifying that this position had not changed.
Monitoring of sanctions and freedom of French companies
"We have decided within the G7 to set up a mechanism for monitoring sanctions, such as pooling our lists of targeted oligarchs and preparing future decisions", delivered the President of the Republic, while several European countries have announced that they have seized luxury boats similar to those of Putin's relatives, or even Putin himself.
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As for French companies, the decision is up to them to leave the country.
“I asked French companies, which operate in sectors under sanctions, that they respect what France decides and acts.
My position is to let other companies decide for themselves.
Renault made a choice, I respect it,” said Emmanuel Macron after a question about the last French companies still present in Russia.
China, politely warned
“President Xi Jinping disapproves of war.
China always defends the sovereignty of the people and I want to believe that it will remain consistent with its vision of territorial sovereignty by refraining from supporting Russia.
I know I can count on Xi Jinping in this matter, ”delivered Emmanuel Macron.
The President of the Republic added that China "as a member of the UN Security Council cannot do anything other than be a mediating power and help us to ensure that all powers return to reason and stability.
All with a big smirk.
