Macron Faces Criticism Over Proposal to Permit Ukraine Strikes on Russian Bases
French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked controversy with his recent statement suggesting Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons to strike military bases in Russia. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally. Le Pen accused Macron of escalating the conflict, thereby increasing dangers for French citizens and compromising territorial integrity.
During a state visit to Germany, Macron emphasized the need to neutralize military sites in Russia that are launching attacks on Ukraine. He stated, “We think that we should allow them to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired and basically the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked.” However, Macron clarified that this restriction would not apply to civilian targets or other military objectives within Russia.
Le Pen strongly opposed Macron's stance, arguing that such actions would signify an additional step towards full-scale war. She also expressed concerns over Macron's alleged plans to send French military personnel to Ukraine, which she warned could further escalate tensions. Le Pen advocated for military aid to Ukraine without the involvement of French troops, stressing that a negotiated settlement is the only viable solution to the ongoing conflict.
To further complicate matters, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz provided a lukewarm endorsement of Macron's view, stating that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against Russian aggression. However, Scholz sidestepped questions about whether this would mean direct participation in the war for Germany. He reiterated that Germany would not take part directly in the conflict but emphasized that international law permits attacked states to retaliate against aggressors on their own territory.
Adding to the international dimensions of this debate, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron remarked that it is Ukraine's decision to target Russian positions with Western weapons. Russia responded to these suggestions with threats of retaliation, raising the specter of a wider conflict. President Vladimir Putin warned of military counterattacks against states that aid Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, emphasizing the particular risk for smaller, densely populated countries.
- During his visit, Macron also outlined plans to propose new strategies for European innovation, investment, and sovereignty in the coming weeks. He called for a 'massive investment shock' in Europe, advocating for either doubling the European budget or utilizing shared debt instruments to finance this initiative. Germany, however, remains resistant to the idea of shared debt financing.
- At a joint press conference with Chancellor Scholz, Macron displayed a map of front lines in eastern Ukraine to illustrate the strategic necessity of targeting Russian military sites. He argued that restricting Ukrainian defense capabilities to its own territory was ineffectively hampering its ability to defend its cities.
- Both leaders also took the opportunity to highlight their countries' commitment to increased European competitiveness and deeper arms cooperation, underpinning their broader agenda for enhancing European sovereignty over the next five years.
