Passing through Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was decorated Thursday, February 9 with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by Emmanuel Macron.
This is the highest distinction that a French president can award to a counterpart.
This ceremony nevertheless revived an older memory: that of the presentation of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by Jacques Chirac to Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2006, in respect of his "
involvement in the development of Franco-Russian relations
".
A decision already contested at the time, on which Emmanuel Macron does not rule out returning, given the current context.
"
I don't forbid myself anything
," he said.
But it's not a decision I made today.
»
“Personal relationship and trust”
In 2006, Jacques Chirac and Vladimir Poutine maintained good relations, reinforced by their common opposition to the war in Iraq in 2003. Jacques Chirac also affirmed in March 2014 that he had a “
personal and trusting relationship
” with his Russian counterpart.
And the former French president added later that it is "
obvious that there is a spontaneous and natural link between our two countries, especially since Russia has firmly embarked on the path of democracy
" .
.
Vladimir Putin had, for his part, assured that Jacques Chirac, also a Russophile, was the leader who had impressed him the most.
"He's a real intellectual, a real teacher
," he told the
Financial Times
.
Jacques Chirac then chose, on September 22, 2006, to hang the red insignia of the Legion of Honor on Vladimir Poutine's jacket, on the occasion of a tripartite France-Germany-Russia summit in Compiègne.
“
In the context of an award of the Legion of Honor on a diplomatic basis, it is the President of the Republic who chooses to hand it over, and not the council of the order of the legion
, explains the chancellery of the Legion of Honor, contacted by
Le Figaro.
To this end, this decoration does not sanction the merit of the people, but rather the links maintained between the country of the decorated person, and France.
»
A ceremony which at the time passed rather unnoticed in the French media but which was relayed by the Russian media.
The man from the Kremlin had brought a photographer and a cameraman for the occasion, to immortalize this moment.
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This decision had however provoked the ire of many French associations and NGOs, highlighting the censorship and the lack of freedom of expression in Russia.
"
The questions of the dismantling of civil liberties in
Russia, the muzzling of the press, or the policy of terror
and zero information that prevails in Chechnya have not been the subject of any public declaration at the end of this visit.
The choice of the French authorities to award the Legion of Honor to Vladimir Poutine brings a shocking endorsement to his policy
”, was indignant Reporters Without Borders.
"
That a predator of freedom of the press should be elevated to the dignity of Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor is an insult to all those who, in Russia, fight for the defense of freedom of the press, the freedom to be informed and for the existence of an effective democracy in this country
”, continued the organization, stressing that it had identified 21 journalists murdered in Russia under the presidency of Vladimir Putin.
Republican tradition
During a press conference given on October 20, 2006, Jacques Chirac underlined Europe's desire for “
Russia to also be part of a logic of partnership, in particular for European investments
”.
Asked about the legitimacy of granting the Grand Cross to Putin, Jacques Chirac had kicked in touch: “
There is
no question of linking moral actions to economic actions, these are two different areas.
And the French president added in the same tone: "
There is a republican tradition which means that the plaque of Grand'Croix de la Légion d'honneur is given to foreign heads of state
".
Consequently,
“, he concluded, attributing to this delivery a primarily diplomatic aim.
This decoration attributed to the head of the Russian state is today called into question, in the light of the war in Ukraine.
“
As it was appointed in a diplomatic capacity, this decision to withdraw can only be taken by the President of the French Republic
”, explains the chancellery.
Emmanuel Macron in any case refrained from commenting on the evening of February 9, evoking a potential withdrawal which would be "
meaningful
".
And to conclude: "
I think you have to appreciate the right moment to do it
".