Emmanuel Macron sends a message to Parliament on the war in Ukraine, after consulting François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy – Le Monde

The President of the Republic made use of the possibility opened up by Article 18 of the Constitution, on Friday January 25, by addressing a message to the National Assembly and the Senate on the war in Ukraine. The presidents of the two chambers, Richard Ferrand and Gérard Larcher, read the text for about four minutes to the parliamentarians, at the start of the afternoon.

“I know that beyond the differences which legitimately oppose you and which guarantee the vitality of our democracy, Parliament will be able to respond in unity around the fundamental principles enshrined in our Constitution: sovereignty, freedom and respect for the law. international “declares in particular Emmanuel Macron.

“The war on Ukraine marks a major geopolitical and historical turning point in the 21st^and century and runs the risk of a return of empires and border conflicts. This major crisis will have consequences for our lives, our economy and our security.”also believes the Head of State. “Sanctions have a long-lasting impact. They are never without consequences, including for us, but we assume it, because it is the defense of our values ​​that is at stake., he also explains. The message was applauded by MPs.

A “republican tradition” approach

The Prime Minister, Jean Castex, was also present to hear Emmanuel Macron’s announcements, including the possibility opened by France of sending defensive equipment and the decision to sanction “the highest Russian leaders”, taken during a European Council on Thursday evening. European sources told Agence France-Presse that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will have their assets frozen.

The former President of the Republic, François Hollande, had held a speech along the same lines, Friday morning, at the Elysée, after having exchanged for an hour with Emmanuel Macron. Europe must “raise the level of sanctions” against Russia, which “are insufficient”he recommended to him, suggesting in particular the stopping of gas imports. “There is no diplomacy without a balance of power”insisted the former president, who pointed out that “Europe must be respected”.

“I believe that we must further strengthen the sanctions, and in particular the financial sanctions, [sur] the system of monetary transactions, so that Russia, its economy and its leaders can be heavily hit”, he also declared after his interview with the Head of State. An orientation adopted a few hours later by the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, who said he was in favor of the expulsion of Russia from the member states of the Swift interbank network.

He finally criticized in veiled words the presidential candidates who questioned the Atlantic alliance, as well as those who “promise a lot” while the crisis in Ukraine risks penalizing the French economy. This interview is the third face-to-face between Emmanuel Macron and François Hollande since 2017 – the first took place at the time of the first confinement, the second at the time of deconfinement.

After François Hollande, Emmanuel Macron immediately received Nicolas Sarkozy, to complete this search for political unity in a process of “Republican tradition at a time of acute crisis”, explains the Elysée. Faced with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “The only possible way is diplomacy, because the alternative to diplomacy is total war”said Nicolas Sarkozy, supporting Emmanuel Macron’s dialogue strategy.

“The path of dialogue, of diplomacy is difficult, often disappointing, but there is no alternative. We must therefore continue on this path. And if France doesn’t do it, no one will.”added the former president. “This is the reason why I approved of President Macron’s approach when he went to Moscow”he explained, he who had also favored negotiation with Moscow during the crisis in Georgia in 2008.

Nicolas Sarkozy also wanted France to propose the creation of “new multilateral institutions”. “Today, nothing works anymore. NATO doesn’t work. The G7 doesn’t work. The G20, which I wanted to create, does not work. And even the UN, which oscillates between apathy and immobility”he launched.

“We are in 2022, it is time to invent the institutions that will allow the multilateralism of the 21st^and century. But we live with the institutions which are those of the XX^and century. It’s up to France (…) to propose major initiatives. From any crisis can come out the worst, but sometimes the best”he concluded.