William Molinié // photo credit: Elena COVALENCO / AFP 07:25, June 01, 2023

This Thursday, 47 heads of state and government are expected at Mimi Castle in Moldova, and especially within range of Russian missile launches. The Romanian-speaking country is hosting the second summit of the European Political Community with the simple objective of displaying the unity of the great family of Europe on Ukraine's doorstep.

It will be a cliché full of symbols. That of 47 European leaders gathered for a photo in the gardens of a castle that looks like a small Versailles, just 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and thus, within range of Russian missile launches.

Except that this façade unity is actually dug by many intra-European cracks. The Balkan countries have been knocking on the door of the European Union for a long time. Today, they are relegated to second place in the order of priorities, thanks to the war in Ukraine.

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A risky bet for Emmanuel Macron

Another sign of European fragility lies in the uncertainty that still hovered this night from Wednesday to Thursday in the chancelleries of the Old Continent, about the presence of Turkish President Erdogan, newly re-elected.

Finally, as Europe became aware of its military dependence on the Americans, competition became tense between the French and the Germans. Who will command the future air defense and who will develop the arsenal of long-range missiles?

It is thus a balancing act to which Emmanuel Macron lends himself, who intends to take the place of leader, while refusing to open further the European scars concerning his sovereignty against Russia.