Macron vowed to ensure that Russia “can never take Ukraine” and proposed the creation of a European political community to accommodate countries such as Ukraine.Figure: Flip through Macron’s Facebook
The one-year European Future Forum held its closing ceremony on the 9th in Strasbourg, the eastern French city where the European Parliament is located. Roberta Metsola, French President and EU rotating president Emmanuel Macron and others attended the meeting. Macron vowed to ensure that Russia “can never take Ukraine” and proposed the creation of a European political community to accommodate countries such as Ukraine.
Russia will hold a military parade and celebrations to commemorate Victory Day, the day the Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. In his speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that NATO is threatening Russia’s borders and that Russia must intervene in Ukraine because Western countries are “ready to invade our territory, including Crimea”. EU leaders gathered at the Forum for the Future of Europe to respond to Putin in action just hours following Russia celebrated World War II Victory Day.
The Forum for the Future of Europe closed on the 9th with a symbolic significance, not only to celebrate Europe Day, but also to respond to Putin with the EU’s solidarity action. Focusing on the Ukrainian-Russian war in his first international speech following his re-election, Macron said: “The war is back on our continent, and the Ukrainian people are fighting for their freedom… We support and will continue to support Ukraine”. Macron told the European Parliament as head of the EU Council presidency that Europe’s goal is “to end this war as soon as possible” and to do everything possible to make it “never possible for Russia to take Ukraine”, while condemning “Russian crimes in Ukraine” serious crimes”.
Macron pointed out: “The war in Ukraine and the reasonable expectations of the people of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to join the European Union make us reflect on the geography and organization of Europe.” ”, but the EU membership process will take several years. So the EU should not be the only way to rebuild the European continent and propose a plan for a “European Political Community”. The independence and sovereignty of the EU has always been Macron’s proposition. He believes that the financial crisis, the epidemic and the war have all highlighted the fragility of the EU, so he hopes to push the defense further “to better protect the countries located on the EU borders”.
In addition, Macron also urged the EU to break away from petrochemical energy as soon as possible, not only for ecology, but also “not dependent on other countries”. Van der Leyen’s remarks pointed to Russia’s outrageous attempts as a reminder of the danger. She hoped the war would make Europe reflect on how to improve the functioning of democracy, and mentioned that the EU treaty will be “revisited”. In his speech, Metzsola promised that the European Parliament will continue to fight for a stronger Europe, and stated that “we need new security and defense policies”; and on energy, Metzsola bluntly said: “We are still too dependent on dictatorship. ”, which means Russia.
