August 19 V.V. Arriving in the afternoon at Marseille Airport, Putin took a helicopter and landed at 17:00 in the secluded marine residence of the French president, Forte Breganson. Then he drove uphill in a car with a presidential standard, where Emmanuel Macron and his wife were waiting for him at the castle gates.
The Marseillaise did not rattle at the meeting — the visit was solemn, but not state — but all other courtesies and ceremonies were observed.
France’s news channels constantly showed live details of the meeting, which was equally honorable for both presidents who were the lions of the current minute. In any case, in the eyes of the French audience.
For Macron, the Breganson meeting fit into the logic of previous days, when the president also shone on all television screens in France. He combined the rest in Fort Bregancon with the solemn celebration of the 75th anniversary of the allied operation "Dragoon", as a result of which the south of France was liberated from German occupation.
During the festivities, he emphasized the role of Africans in the liberation of Provence. Which, on the one hand, was true: about half of the soldiers who took Marseille, Toulon and Nice were Moroccans. On the other hand, American troops were hardly mentioned, whose role in Operation Dragoons was also very significant.
Celebrating the victory of France with African presidents, the next day Macron participated in the celebrations of the anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bormes-les-Mimosas, next to Fort Bregancon, from the Germans. He spoke enthusiastically with the townspeople, and the words “France”, “greatness”, “history” sounded in every phrase, recalling the oratory heritage of General de Gaulle. And not at all reminiscent of the legacy of globalist Jacques Attali, who was previously considered the spiritual father of Macron.
At the end of the week, Macron will be the host of the G7 Power Congress in Biarritz. Meeting with V.V. Putin quite fits into the desire to work on the stage in front of the eyes of the whole world. With different partners, but always on the first roles.
As for the attitude of the French president towards Russia and Putin, it is rather neutral. Macron is not a true friend of Russia - but by the way, who is? Friendship in politics is not a very reliable thing. But he is completely alien to the pathological Putin’s fights inherent, for example, to Anglo-Saxon politicians. Here we see the principle of "nothing personal", but in this case in a completely favorable sense for Russia.
Macron is interested in appearing to the world in the form of a politician who can talk with Russia - and even negotiate with her. There is nothing harmful for the Russian leader, but only benefit. If the head of a great power wants to appear (or appear) as a reasonable counterparty to Russia, this can only be welcomed.
Moreover, V.V. Putin, in relations with our partners, professes the principle of a Russian service man: "Do not ask for service, do not dissuade from service."
What was literally expressed in his attitude, for example, to G7: “Any contacts with our partners in any format are always useful. We do not exclude anything. As for the possible work format of eight states, we never refuse anything. It was Russia’s turn to hold the G8 at one time, but our partners did not come. Please, at any time we are waiting for our partners to visit as part of the “seven”.
That is, we are quite ready to talk, but, of course, within the framework of Russian interests.
There is no desire to be present in the society of white sagibs, even a carcass, even a stuffed animal, and there’s no reason to talk. Passing a move to a partner is sometimes very useful. Especially if the partner is ripe.
That was the meaning of the meeting at sea, on a hawk, on the island of Bregancon.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.