French President Emmanuel Macron embodies his country's desire to get out from under the influence of the United States and wants to make history. This realization of the need to defeat Russia prompts Macron to make proactive statements regarding Ukraine. This opinion was expressed in a commentary to UNN by diplomat and international expert Ruslan Osypenko.
"As we can see, there is a rather interesting geopolitical configuration now: The US has gone into internal discussions, and Europe has realized that the US may not fulfill its obligations under certain circumstances. Also, Trump's statement that he would withdraw troops scared the Europeans," the expert believes.
Osypenko suggests that European leaders have "come to their senses." Regarding Emmanuel Macron's statements, the expert noted that France has always sought to get rid of US influence.
"France has always stated that it wants to get rid of American influence, and here America itself has gone into isolation, into an internal discussion in connection with the elections. And this is a chance to realize its strategic plans that it has always wanted to implement," the international expert believes.
Osypenko notes that Macron wants to make history and thinks about long-term prospects, in particular, how he will be remembered.
"He is ahead of the curve with statements like sending NATO troops to Ukraine. He is the first leader to say that Russia must lose. Before that, for two years they said that Ukraine should not lose. Macron is the first to say that Russia's loss will ensure stability and security in Europe. Macron was the first to say, after two years of war, that we still need to defeat Russia. The West has realized that they will not come to an agreement with that regime. Putin has demonstratively killed the last oppositionist in his country," the expert believes.
According to Osypenko, at a time when the United States is immersed in domestic political discussions, European leaders have realized that it is time to exercise their strategic autonomy and identity.
У Макрона підтвердили візит президента Франції в Україну в найближчі тижні 11.03.24, 09:16
"But at this point, the question arises: if they are realizing this identity, and there is no security umbrella from the United States with nuclear weapons over them, then they need to create their own joint forces. They need to build up their armies, which they reduced in the 90s, to launch a military-industrial complex that cannot even provide assistance to Ukraine, let alone build up and expand their armies. That is, to simultaneously address all these issues that had not been resolved before, because when the Americans provided security, the Europeans were just making money.
Ukraine provides time for Europe to prepare for war. Ukraine can provide these 2-5 years to solve the above tasks by deterring Russia," the expert believes.
Osypenko reminded that Russia has already thrown an ultimatum in the face of Europeans that it wants to return its zone of influence - the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including EU and NATO members.
"Europe thought that Ukraine would lose and the situation would stabilize. But Ukraine is standing and this gives Europe time to prepare for war. They realized that they are already in the war. That is why it is a question of leadership," the expert added.
Recall
On February 27, French President Emmanuel Macron saidthat there are no concrete plans to send Western forces to Ukraine, but that it cannot be ruled out.
In addition, the French leader emphasized that everything possible should be done to prevent Russia from winning the war.