Macron Holds Informal Summit, Inviting a Handful of Leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron recently held an informal summit, inviting a select group of leaders from various European countries, as well as the NATO Secretary General, the European Commission President and the President of the European Council. The meeting did not yield a unified stance on the issues at hand, prompting criticism from those who were not invited.
In a subsequent conference, Macron extended an invitation to a second tier of EU leaders and the Canadian Prime Minister, with the majority agreeing to participate via video conference, except for the Luxembourgish Prime Minister and the Romanian President, who attended in person.
Macron gave an interview to regional news agencies, in which he described Russia as an “existential threat to Europe” and its actions as innumerable. He claimed that Russia is behind cyber attacks, attempts to manipulate elections and the destabilization of Poland and even linked it to anti-Semitic incidents in France. However, Macron signified his willingness to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that he would do so if it proved beneficial for the situation.
Macron’s statement has been met with skepticism, with some experts questioning the French President’s motives. Martin Quencez, the head of the Paris office of the German Marshall Fund, noted that the European enthusiasm for a new military structure is likely to be short-lived, as it will be difficult to convince people to prioritize European security over social and environmental concerns.
The article concludes by highlighting Macron’s efforts to position himself as a leader, while also hinting at the French President’s potential vulnerabilities, including the possibility of a referendum on the French Constitution and the uncertain outcome of the next French presidential election.