Macron announces restoration of channels of communication with Russia, urges European leaders to do so
Afrasianet - French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris had restored technical channels of communication with Moscow, and called on European leaders to do so so so that they could have an orderly European approach.
Macron told the newspaper Tagesanzeiger: "We have reopened the channels of communication at the technical level. I would like my European partners to share this in the future, so that we have a well-structured European approach."
He confirmed the visit of his diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to Moscow. "It was premature for some to send their diplomatic advisers, as we did," he said.
"It is important that we structure the resumption of European talks with the Russians without being naïve, without putting pressure on the Ukrainians, and without relying on third parties in these talks. Therefore, I have suggested to many European colleagues that the dialogue be resumed."
Macron had earlier announced talks at the technical level to prepare possible contacts with the Russian president.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described Macron's remarks about his upcoming call with Putin as "pathetic diplomacy." "If you want to call, just call. Mature leaders usually announce their contacts after a conversation, but these announcements are like making a show, the owner needs to get the audience as excited as possible. Europe for what it is."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that there are "limited working-level contacts" between the two countries, noting that no specific dates have yet been reached for a summit meeting between Macron and Putin.
Macron warns of European security illusion, calls for economic revolution
French President Emmanuel Macron warns that the European Union should not be fooled by a false sense of security, and has called on the bloc to embark on an "economic revolution" to become a real global power.
In an interview with the Financial Times and other European media, Macron said he would press EU leaders at a special summit on competitiveness this week to capitalize on what he called a "Greenland moment," when Europeans realized they were under threat, to move quickly toward long-delayed economic reforms and reduce dependence on the United States and China.
Macron added: "We have a Chinese tsunami on the trade front, and we have minute-by-minute instability on the American side. These two crises represent a deep shock to the Europeans," he said, stressing that the EU should not lower its vigilance after the peak of crises has passed, noting that "permanent stability is now not guaranteed."
He explained that he was "always respectful" in his dealings with US President Donald Trump, "but not weak", adding: "When there is obvious act of aggression, you should not bend over or try to reach a compromise. We tried this strategy for months and it didn't work."
He noted that Europe is now dealing with the Trump administration, which he described as "openly anti-European," showing "contempt" for the EU and wishing it "dismantled."
He called for the issuance of massive joint debt for investment in three strategic areas: artificial intelligence and quantum computing, energy transition, and defense, with the aim of strengthening the EU's economic power at the global level.
Macron stressed that the recent crisis over Greenland is not over, predicting that differences between the EU and the Trump administration will escalate in the coming months over technology regulation, as the United States could impose punitive tariffs if the bloc tries to use the Digital Services Act to control American tech companies, or if some countries decide to ban children from social media platforms.
"For Europe to say that our children's brains are not for sale, and their feelings are not for profit by the big American or Chinese platforms, that's the meaning of sovereignty, and that's a strong Europe," he said.
He noted that EU leaders will meet at a Belgian palace on Thursday to boost competitiveness and single market integration, support the simplification of regulations, break down barriers to internal trade and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for vital inputs and strategic technologies.
He also stressed the importance of protecting European content in core value chains, including chemicals, steel, automotive, and defense, noting that the EU faces major competitors that do not respect WTO rules, namely the United States and China, and that failure to protect European industry exposes the bloc to pressure and a loss of balance in global trade.
On the defence cooperation front, Macron pointed out that the joint French-German fighter jet project (FCAS) is facing difficulties due to the power struggle between Dassault Air and Airbus, but ruled out the failure of the project, stressing the continued strategic need for the aircraft and the French and German air forces agreeing to its specifications, criticizing the contracting companies for trying to "play with the system and create situations of synergy".
Macron concluded by stressing the need for progress on the project, stressing the importance of European cooperation to achieve strategic and economic independence amid escalating global challenges from the United States and China.
Lavrov: Macron's failure to set a date for a call with Putin is "pathetic diplomacy"
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described French President Emmanuel Macron's unspecified plans to contact his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as "pathetic diplomacy."
This came in statements made by Minister Lavrov during an interview with RT on the occasion of Russian Diplomat Day, in response to previous statements by Macron in which he announced plans to contact President Putin at some point.
Lavrov said: "This is not serious. This is pathetic diplomacy. If you want to call and discuss something seriously, call. The president of Russia will always answer the phone, he will listen to any proposals, and if the proposals are serious, I assure you – they will not remain without a serious, specific and practical response."
The statement comes in the context of an unofficially unannounced visit by the French president's adviser on diplomatic affairs, Emmanuel Bonne, to Moscow, Reuters reported, where he met with Russian officials in a move aimed at restoring dialogue between the two countries.
The agency did not disclose additional details about the nature of Tuesday's meeting or its outcome. The French Elysee Palace did not officially confirm the visit or deny it.
Macron had earlier announced talks at the technical level to prepare possible contacts with the Russian president, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had previously confirmed that there were "limited contacts at the level of work" between the two countries, noting that no specific dates had yet been reached for a summit meeting between Macron and Putin.
Macron's diplomatic adviser visits Moscow for talks with officials
Reuters reported that French President Emmanuel Macron's adviser on diplomatic affairs, Emmanuel Bonne, visited Moscow to meet with Russian officials, in a move aimed at restoring dialogue with Moscow.
The agency did not disclose further details about the nature or outcome of Tuesday's meeting, while the Elysee Palace did not officially confirm or deny the visit.
