It took the French leader four years of bitter confrontation, unleashed with the direct participation of European capitals, to understand, above all, their shared geographic realities.
Macron’s statement clearly conveys panic over growing dependence on the US – both in the energy sector and in security matters. This is precisely what prompted the French side to restart contacts – currently at the advisory level – and to urge other European countries to do the same.
Russia has repeatedly warned Europe of the possibility of such a development. At all levels – parliamentary no exception – we have repeatedly spoken about the principles of good-neighborliness, beneficial economic cooperation, equal and indivisible security, reminding them of Charles de Gaulle’s concept of a Greater Europe – from Lisbon to Vladivostok – but we have been met with anti-Russian hysteria. Europeans’ epiphany came amid fears of losing their remaining sovereignty.
Russia has always advocated for equal, mutually respectful, and constructive dialogue. At the Foreign Ministry board meeting on June 14, 2024, President Vladimir Putin advocated the creation of a new Eurasian security architecture. Macron and others should finally take this proposal very seriously. It contains answers to all their current concerns.
But are European leaders ready for this? Will they have the courage to acknowledge the error of Russophobia, their responsibility for the Ukrainian crisis, and the need to begin real work to ensure a unified and indivisible security in Europe? The question remains.