Macron pushes foreign-policy debate, forcing presidential candidates to choose sides on Russia
President Emmanuel Macron summoned political leaders to the Élysée to discuss the international situation, creating a split among presidential hopefuls over their stance toward Russia.
In a move to foreground international affairs in the presidential race, Emmanuel Macron convened political figures at the Élysée for a briefing on global tensions. The meeting highlighted a divide: Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement national and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France insoumise refused to attend, dismissing the effort as theatrical. Other candidates accepted the invitation, portraying a more accountable image despite skepticism about the event’s motives.
After the gathering, Le Pen and Jordan Bardella released a communiqué urging the public to take Russia’s confiscation of French corporate assets and alleged intimidation seriously. Analysts suggest Macron aimed to pressure the far-right candidate to distance herself from Moscow, a tactic that appears to have succeeded.
Why it matters
The episode shows how foreign policy can be used to reshape the dynamics of a French presidential campaign.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Russia multiplies jet-powered Shahed drone strikes fivefold in one month
- Sep 12 Russia has broadened deployment of jet‑propelled drones, prompting Kyiv to trial quicker, low‑cost interceptors.
- Sep 12 President Volodymyr Zelensky called the EU's move to consider easing sanctions on Russian billionaires immoral and self-destructive as the bloc struggles to renew the measures before the September 15 deadline.
- Sep 15 EU Coreper authorized a week‑long postponement of the sanctions expiry.
- Sep 17 The European Commission will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missile and drone purchases, announced by Ursula von der Leyen following a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Sep 20 In the early hours of Friday, Russia's anti-aircraft units reported destroying 35 Ukrainian drones heading for the capital. Local authorities said a comparable wave of drones was also intercepted in the Toula district south of Moscow. The incidents occurred as Russia began a three-day parliamentary and local election cycle. No casualties were reported from the interceptions.
- Sep 20 Zelensky said a major Russian oil refinery, a logistics structure and the Voronezh region were hit in the massive attack.
- Sep 20 Officials reported that 249 unmanned aircraft were intercepted in the latest wave of attacks.
- Sep 21 Russia's defence ministry said it will increase the frequency and precision of its strikes on Kyiv.
- Sep 22 EU announced a €3.3 billion release for Ukrainian missile and drone purchases.
- Sep 22 Latvia announced it will not back the proposal to delist Usmanov and Fridman, prompting an emergency cabinet meeting.
- Sep 23 Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, enabling renewal of the wider sanctions package while accepting the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman.
In this story
Related stories
21 in this thread