The President of France wants to be seen as the dominant force in Europe – The Telegraph

French President Emmanuel Macron wants to be seen as the “dominant force in Europe.”

This is reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph, commenting on why the French president has turned into a “hawk” on the issue of Ukraine.

Such a transformation is “a remarkable turnaround for a president who once warned against humiliating Moscow and insisted on keeping diplomatic channels with Putin open,” the publication states.

Sources within Paris and Berlin cited by the newspaper believe that this turnaround is rooted in a conflict with Germany. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the strategic balance between the two countries began to erode. Germany violated the “gentleman’s agreement,” under which Berlin dealt with the economy and Paris with “strategic issues” in the EU.

“The boundaries are now blurred, and there are attempts to encroach on each other’s territory,” said one source.

Various military initiatives by Germany are cited as examples that contradict France’s vision. This includes Germany’s lobbying for a missile defense project with purchases of components from Israel and the USA, undermining the French strategy of “buy European.”

Additionally, Germans have started making large orders from the USA for their military, which contradicts France’s position advocating for increased European military autonomy from Washington.

With his statements on Ukraine, which are at odds with Germany’s position, “Macron intended to regain the role of European strategic leader,” the publication concludes.

“We are in the midst of a real Franco-German duel,” the source stated.

Another reason Macron decided to shake up the situation is the “progressive erosion of support for the Ukrainian cause” in Europe, as observed in polls.

With his resonant statements, the French president is trying to provoke “a mental leap from the cozy confidence of the old, dying era to the harsh realities of the new.” Macron has sought to inspire Ukrainians and “strengthen European resolve” ahead of the European Parliament elections, the newspaper writes.