Ukraine: The Insoumis Applaud De Villepin’s Response To BHL – The HuffPost

Capturing France 2

MEDIA – The situation in Ukraine warms the spirits, even on French television sets. Thursday February 24, France 2 canceled its political program “Élysée 2022” which was to receive Marine Le Pen, to organize instead a Ukraine special edition.

On this occasion, Léa Salamé and Laurent Guimier received the main presidential candidates in duplex and also invited former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and the philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy. The least we can say is that these last two did not really get along.

While the debate revolved around a possible French intervention on Ukrainian territory, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs in office during the war in Iraq, pleaded for it not to happen. This, while the essayist maintained quite the opposite. The tone quickly rose.

“Let’s not forget the suffering, the martyrdom, the suffering that the Iraqi people have known; the martyrdom, the suffering experienced by the Libyan people; let’s not forget the pain we’ve inflicted by military interventions with no way out”, warned Dominique de Villepin, recalling that the diplomatic route was to be preferred. “History has taught us this in Libya, Iraq and the Sahel. The solution is to be smart enough to fault Vladimir Putin who extends far beyond his real bases and means. What will he do with a Ukraine in rebellion?” In 2003, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique de Villepin had opposed the UN against an American military operation in Iraq.

Dominique de Villepin ends up leaving the set

“For twenty years, all French and American presidents have hoped to have a privileged relationship with Vladimir Putin“, replied Bernard-Henri Lévy. “Twenty years of going backwards (…) Re-engaging in diplomacy, not taking sides, these are the mistakes of the past”. According to him, “the only way to proceed against Vladimir Putin is to outbid”. “As long as it doesn’t feel resistance, it moves forward,” he continues.

The argument does not hold for Dominique de Villepin who believes that “the resistance should not be placed on this ground. We have other means of reaching it”. And to assert: “I do not believe that the posture on television sets is the right answer”.

“I see you in a posture that does not seem to me likely to calm the situation”, then replies the essayist. Before the debate escalates further, Léa Salamé speaks: “We will not reconcile you tonight”. Visibly in agreement, Dominique de Villepin then left the set.

Bernard-Henri Lévy did not stop there, he continued his charge on Twitter, accusing the politician of not being concerned about the suffering of the Ukrainians and of only wanting to “relive his Iraqi moment”.

What to do? #Villepin who never tires of reliving his Iraqi moment, has his solution: palaver, laughter, and “judo”. At best, the same silliness that paved the way for the tanks of #Putin. At worst, offense to #Ukrainians whose sufferings seem his last concern. Pity… pic.twitter.com/y1yGmtE9OO

— Bernard-Henri Lévy (@BHL) February 25, 2022

De Villepin congratulated by… the rebels

The position of the former minister struck a chord with several members… of France Insoumise. They congratulated him on Twitter. The deputy of the North, Adrien Quatennens, applauded Dominique de Villepin’s “intelligent speeches” which “do good”.

“De Villepin speaks as a diplomat. Mélenchon speaks as head of state. Both say, each in their own way, basically the same thing: military escalation is not the solution [*encore moins avec une puissance nucléaire*]; we have to create a political way out,” reacted MP Danièle Obono.

De Villepin speaks as a diplomat. Mélenchon speaks as head of state. Both say, each in their own way, basically the same thing: military escalation is not the solution. [*encore moins avec une puissance nucléaire*]; a political exit must be found. https://t.co/vijVux3Je2

— Deputy Obono (@Deputee_Obono) February 24, 2022

Deputy François Ruffin hailed this “voice that we listen to in the ongoing troubles”.

It is a voice that we listen to, of course, in the current unrest, Dominique de Villepin: “We must economically isolate Russia very quickly, even if we will suffer from it. And at the same time we must open a door of exit, taking into account the self-esteem of the Russians.” pic.twitter.com/roeJLNTB0k

— Francois Ruffin (@Francois_Ruffin) February 25, 2022

The head of digital communication for Jean-Luc Mélenchon and France Insoumise, Antoine Léaument, has noticed that “when it comes to the interests of France, the positions of Villepin and Mélenchon are often close”. “As often on international subjects, I agree with what Dominique de Villepin said about BHL (which has never shone with its geopolitical analyses)”, he asserts.

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