Invited on the set of BFMTV on the occasion of the 75th day of conflict in Ukraine, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, warned on Monday that the war would be “long and difficult”.
“There is nothing new
(after
Vladimir Putin's speech
during the May 9 victory commemorations)
, Russian aggression continues, the war continues (…) it will be long and difficult,” the minister said. .
For Jean-Yves Le Drian, the master of the Kremlin made "four mistakes" during his offensive in Ukraine.
“First, to think that Ukraine was going to fall like that (…), to think that Europe would be fragile in its reaction when it was the opposite (…) He thought he saw weaknesses in the Atlantic Alliance, then that she ended up on her fundamentals and he overestimated the strength of his army, ”he listed.
Jean-Yves Le Drian: "Putin has made strategic mistakes since the start of the war (...) including thinking that Ukraine was going to fall" quickly pic.twitter.com/zSbd8eXbfw
– BFMTV (@BFMTV) May 9, 2022
Asked then about the risk of an aggravation of the conflict, and in particular the risk of recourse to nuclear weapons, the tenant of the Quai d'Orsay estimated that "if there is an escalation, it will only come from the 'Russian army'.
And to add: "Russia intimidates us", but refusing to call it "bluffing".
"The threat of nuclear escalation is inappropriate and unsuitable," he said.
“Putin is in denial”
Jean Yves Le Drian finally praised the "tremendous resistance of Ukraine" against the Russian army and considered that "Putin is in denial" with this invasion.
He also accused the Russian President of "reversing the blame for the war" during his speech on the sidelines of the May 9 commemorations.
Minister of Defense under François Hollande then Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2017, Jean-Yves Le Drian was also questioned about his future in view of the reshuffle.
"I am completely mobilized by my task in the dramatic crisis that Ukraine is going through and, honestly, my own person, my own future has little to do with it," he said.
Reshuffle: Jean-Yves Le Drian declares to be "completely mobilized by [sa] task" pic.twitter.com/FnAv39UBOZ
– BFMTV (@BFMTV) May 9, 2022
“My political confidences, I address them exclusively to the President of the Republic (…).
I don't need a spokesperson", he added, referring to the exit of François Hollande on the set of "C à Vous" this Monday, affirming that Jean-Yves Le Drian had entrusted him with his departure desires.
