Funny formula to inaugurate a forum for peace: "I wondered what I went to do in this mess", launched Emmanuel Macron this Sunday to his hosts of the Catholic community Sant'Egidio, organizers of the conference "the Cry of Peace”, in Rome (Italy) in the presence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious dignitaries and political leaders (including his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella).
The Head of State thus wanted to underline, not without humour, the paradox of discussing this theme in front of religious officials with the President of a secular Republic, who happens to be both "head of diplomacy and head of the armies and, moreover, at the head of a country “equipped with nuclear weapons”.
This did not prevent him from delivering a plea for peace in Ukraine and underlining the role of religions in conflict resolution.
“Hassle”, the word is not badly chosen, as the subject is delicate.
A large proportion of the members of the European Union, in particular the countries of central Europe and the Baltic countries, which often set the tone in this context of war, flatly refuse to evoke the idea of peace as long as Ukraine fight against the Russian invasion.
Macron's insistence on maintaining dialogue with Putin has also been criticized from the start by this camp.
Peace today cannot be the consecration of the law of the strongest.
pic.twitter.com/LKuA3ePnGq
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 23, 2022
In front of the "peacemakers" of Sant'Egidio, an organization whose secular leader, Andrea Riccardo, is seen as an unofficial Vatican diplomat, the French president has stuck to his position.
"Let's not let peace be captured by Russian power," he said, adding that "peace will be built with the other, who is today's enemy, around a table."
But as he did during his interview on France 2 two weeks ago, Macron insists on the absolutely central role of the Ukrainians.
“A peace is possible” in Ukraine, “the only one that the Ukrainians will decide when they decide”.
Clearly, there is no question of external powers pushing them to the negotiating table.
Read alsoEmmanuel Macron must meet Giorgia Meloni this Sunday evening in Rome
Another nuance of size, the Head of State insists on the distinction between the Russian people and their leaders.
“This war is that of a power which has constructed its own narrative to justify it, but I am not sure that it is the war of all Russia”, he underlines.
In fact, despite the constant brainwashing of Kremlin propaganda, doubt and protest are gaining ground.
Not to mention the mass flight of Russians who can be mobilized by the army to go and fight in Ukraine.
"Speaking to the Russian people and to consciences is essential", insists Emmanuel Macron, who does not repeat his formula on the need not to "humiliate" Putin's Russia, which had angered the Europeans... and even more so the Ukrainians.
This does not mean that he renounces dialogue with Putin.
Even if he did not mention this point this Sunday in Sant'Egidio, he still assumes this maintained contact, unlike the American Joe Biden and most EU leaders.
On the other hand, he shares this commitment, convinced that it is indeed with the enemy that we must one day negotiate, with Pope Francis, whom he will meet this Monday morning at the Vatican.
And with Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant'Egidio community.
“One of the dumbest things of our time is to think that talking about peace means being pro-Putin!
We risk giving up this great word, peace, a Christian word, a religious word, a European word, Riccardi ignites.
I don't know if Putin is listening to us, but opening a horizon of peace means mobilizing diplomacy.
It's time for diplomacy...