French President Emmanuel Macron, at a meeting with the ambassadors of the Fifth Republic, announced that the era of Western hegemony was coming to an end and called for a radical revision of relations with Russia. According to him, Europe has become an arena for the confrontation between Moscow and Washington, which does not meet the interests of European countries.

“We are seeing the end of Western hegemony in the world,” said Macron. - The circumstances are changing. China has moved into the front row, and Russia is doing better in its strategy. ”

According to him, in the future the importance of Europe in world politics will decrease.

“We know that civilizations have disappeared. Europe will disappear. And the world will be organized around two big poles: the USA and China, and we will have a choice between the two dominant forces, ”he said.

In these conditions, according to the French leader, pushing and isolating Russia is a big mistake.

“I think pushing Russia further from Europe is a deep strategic mistake. We are pushing Russia either on the path of isolation, which only increases tension, or on alliance with other great powers - such as China, which is not at all in our interests, ”the president said, adding that without Moscow it is impossible to implement the project“ to recreate European civilization ".

In his opinion, without the participation of Russia, none of the key international conflicts of our time will be resolved.

“For five years now, Russia has played an unprecedented role in all major conflicts. She took this unprecedented position because the United States, Great Britain and France were weak, Macron said. - Russia in the modern context pursues its interests to the maximum. "She returned to Syria, she returned to Libya, she returned to Africa ... She is present in all crisis points because of our weakness and our mistakes."

At the same time, he noted that Russia also needs Europe, because it is experiencing difficulties in demography and the economy. Macron called for building a new European security architecture with Russia, adding that stability would not reign on the continent without it.

“I think we need to deeply rethink these rules. I believe that it is necessary to build a new architecture of trust and security in Europe. The European continent will never achieve stability and security without pacifying and clarifying relations with Russia, ”he said, adding that he had sent a signal to Vladimir Putin about“ step-by-step progress ”.

At the same time, he made a reservation that not all French allies are interested in establishing relations with Russia. Some of them have exactly the opposite goals, says Macron.

  • French President Emmanuel Macron
  • Reuters
  • © Yoan Valat / Pool

“These are not the interests of all of our allies; we will be honest on this issue. And some, by the way, are pushing us to introduce more sanctions, because it is their interest, even if they are our allies. But this is not our (interest), ”RIA Novosti quotes Macron. The head of state did not specify which countries he had in mind.

According to Macron, dialogue with Russia should be “honest” and “demanding.” He warned against the manifestation of "criminal weakness" in relation to Moscow.

Macron also noted that without establishing ties with Russia, Europe will continue to be an arena of confrontation between Moscow and Washington.

“We are in Europe, and Russia too. And if we fail to establish suitable relations with Russia, we will remain in a state of absolutely useless tension. In Europe, which is the theater of strategic struggle between Russia and the United States, frozen conflicts will remain everywhere, and we will feel the effects of the Cold War on our land, ”Macron said at a meeting with ambassadors.

Compromise

According to the head of the Center for French Studies of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yuri Rubinsky, Macron’s words indicate his desire to find a compromise. Such a policy is part of his managerial style, the expert believes.

“Macron’s political style in both domestic and foreign policy is to seek a compromise between the warring parties, while playing the role of mediator and not forgetting the interests of his country. This explains his statements and actions, ”Yuri Rubinsky said in an interview with RT.

One example of his desire to mediate in conflicts was the G7 summit recently held in French Biarritz, Rubinsky said.

“G7 is not a club that can solve entirely global problems, but Macron has achieved some partial mutual progress, especially on the Iranian issue. On this, the French president earned himself dividends in terms of reputation. He certainly thinks of re-election for a second term and in this case took into account his internal interests, ”the analyst shared his opinion.

Rubinsky also drew attention to the fact that Macron is trying to find a compromise not only between the interests of various players, but also between values ​​and ideas.

“Macron says the liberal idea is becoming obsolete. He believes in liberal values, but understands that it is necessary to make out which of them works and which does not. The President of France seeks to find a balance not only between geopolitical opponents, but also between values ​​and interests. Both of them may not coincide, but to sacrifice values ​​for the sake of interests and, conversely, is counterproductive for all parties to the conflict. Macron is looking for a balance that would be beneficial to both parties - this is his credo, ”the political scientist said.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference in Strelna
  • RIA News
  • © Mikhail Klimentyev

According to Rubinsky, after these statements one can expect some practical steps on the part of the French authorities.

“We should expect concrete steps by Paris towards Russia. Because after the negotiations in Fort Bregancon, which were largely aimed at Ukrainian issues ... an exchange of prisoners of war was announced, and after France proposed the return of Russia to G7, ”the expert said.

"Treading on the spot"

Vladimir Schweitzer, head of the department of social and political studies at the Institute of Europe at the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that Macron is trying to act as the leader of the European Union, but France’s limited resources and lack of serious political experience hinder the effectiveness of such a policy.

“Macron wants to prove himself to be a European leader, but he does not have much strength, since France is a major European power, not a world one. One gets the impression that no one takes him seriously in politics. He, without much experience, entered politics too early. Everyone who becomes world leaders has a certain background, and he came in right away, which has its own costs, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

Schweitzer also doubted that the French president would succeed in realizing his ideas regarding relations with Russia.

“By itself, his proposals are good, but they have no solid context for implementation. I think that the ritual statements of Macron will not change anything and everything will remain as it is, ”he said.

According to him, Europe can invite Russia to a rapprochement, but at some point there are always insurmountable difficulties on the way to this.

“Paris may sign some kind of private agreement, but you can’t count on more. The countries of Europe invite Russia to move together, but at the same time at the last moment put forward some unrealizable condition. It’s just trampling, ”said Schweitzer.

  • French Defense and Foreign Ministers Florence Parley and Jean-Yves Le Drian
  • AFP
  • © LUDOVIC MARIN

One of such insurmountable problems is the issue of anti-Russian sanctions.

“It is not necessary to count on the fact that Europe will lift its sanctions against Russia. Italy, Austria, France say that it is necessary to develop bilateral relations, but at the same time they cannot lift the sanctions, because this decision was not taken independently, but collectively, ”the political scientist noted.

Africa and Ukraine

During the speech, President Macron announced the visit to Moscow of the heads of the French Ministry of Defense and Foreign Ministry Florence Parley and Jean-Yves Le Drian, who will hold talks with their Russian counterparts. Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov announced similar plans in mid-August. He noted that the meeting will be held on September 9.

“They will go to Moscow in a few days to conduct a dialogue in the 2 + 2 format,” Macron said.

Spheres where Russia and Europe can cooperate, Macron called space and cybersecurity, adding that in this area it is necessary to create a “trust agenda”.

Schweitzer believes that it is not worthwhile to connect some special hopes with the visit of the French ministers to Moscow. Military contacts between Russia and France are severely limited by Paris’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.

“Russia and France cannot have any kind of joint military policy, because Paris is part of NATO. At the negotiations in Moscow, some kind of joint operations in the Middle East, in particular in Afghanistan, or joint assistance to Africa can be discussed, ”the expert said.

Rubinsky also believes that the ministers will discuss Africa, but he added to the list of topics also the conflict in Ukraine.

“Of course, the Ukrainian topic will be at the center of the negotiations. Perhaps the issue of compatibility of interests, positions and policies of Russia and France in Africa, which has always been a “backyard” for Paris, will be discussed. In particular, we can talk about Libya. Macron admitted that France is to blame for the collapse of Libya. Now he calls on the UN to seek an international solution to a ceasefire, ”said the expert.