French President Emmanuel Macron had a discussion on social media with internet users on Thursday evening, during which he also commented on the decision to cancel the elections in Romania.
Macron talked about Russia’s massive investments in defense, which he described as „a threat to Europe.” In support of his claims, Macron listed the assassinations of Russian political opponents, attacks on European soil, hybrid threats, massive cyber attacks, or „election manipulation, as is the case in Romania.”
In this context, the French president described the decision to cancel the presidential elections in Romania in November 2024 as unprecedented and very serious, but not surprising.
"We must be careful, it is a false discourse that has integrated there, that of defending freedom of speech. I heard Vice President Vance, with whom I had an exchange of views in Paris, (an exchange of views) which was very interesting, indeed, cordial. He said he was shocked by this decision, but I was not shocked by the decision, I do not comment on the decision of a supreme court (CCR - ed.)", added Emmanuel Macron.
"What shocks me is that Russia massively influenced the authenticity of the elections in Romania," pointed out the French leader.
He will tell Trump: You cannot be weak in front of Putin
At the same time, Macron announced that he will warn Donald Trump against any sign of weakness towards Vladimir Putin during the visit the French president is scheduled to make to Washington on Monday.
Almost three years since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, "we are entering a new era," emphasized the French president, who tried to play a unifying role in the face of "the threat that Russia poses to Europe and France."
"This will force us to make very strong choices for ourselves, for our defense and security," summarized Emmanuel Macron, after an hour of discussions with internet users.
Eager to position himself at the center of the European game at a time when the Russians and Americans have begun peace talks on their own, Macron revealed his angles of attack before his visit to Donald Trump, AFP comments.
"I will tell him (Trump), in essence, you cannot be weak in front of President Putin. It's not you, it's not your brand, it's not in your interest. So, how can you be credible against China if you are weak against Putin?", explained the French president.
"The second thing to mention: if you allow Ukraine to be taken" by Putin, Russia "will be unstoppable for Europeans," because "it will recover Ukraine and its army, which is one of the largest in Europe, with all our equipment, including American equipment. It is a huge strategic mistake," argued Macron, who wants to convince Trump that "it is in his interest to work with Europeans at this time."
Macron accused Russia of "globalizing the conflict" in Ukraine, by involving North Korean soldiers in the war, and increasing its cooperation with Iran, from which it received drones to attack Ukraine.
"There is a conflict in Ukraine, in which the Russians, in fact, have globalized things. Will it be limited (the war) to this theater? Let's hope so," added Macron.
Macron jumps to Zelenski's defense
Defending his Ukrainian counterpart against recent attacks by Donald Trump, Macron also emphasized that Volodymyr Zelenski was elected through a free system, unlike Vladimir Putin.
And "no one has the right to say: Ukraine does not have the right to join the European Union, Ukraine does not have the right to join NATO," Emmanuel Macron insisted again.
The French president also indicated in his live on the X platform that he spoke on Thursday evening with his Ukrainian counterpart to inform him about his contacts with European partners "who want to work for a lasting and solid peace for Ukraine."
"Should France, which dedicates about 2% of its GDP to its defense, go further and aim, like Poland, for a percentage of 5%, as Donald Trump demands?" - asked an internet user. "I don't know if 5% is the right figure for France, but, in any case, we will have to increase" the defense percentage, Macron replied.
Moreover, the French president emphasized that he has no intention of sending troops to Ukraine. "What we are considering is to send forces to ensure peace once it is negotiated," he said.