Macron's nuclear remarks spark tensions with Russia
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded to remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron. He asserted that Moscow does not pose a threat to Europe but instead contended that "Macron's nuclear rhetoric poses a threat to Russia." Lavrov also addressed the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
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In a television address on Wednesday, the day before the extraordinary EU summit, Emmanuel Macron spoke about, among other things, how Russia is "becoming a threat to France and Europe" and that it "has already turned the Ukrainian conflict into a global conflict" by involving soldiers from North Korea and equipment from Iran.
He stated that Russia "violates the borders" of European countries, conducts cyberattacks, and "attempts to manipulate opinions" through disinformation on social media. - This aggressiveness appears to know no bounds - he said.
At the same time, the French president confirmed that France possesses "the most effective army in Europe" and stated that nuclear deterrence provides better protection "than some neighbours." In response to the historical appeal of future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he expressed his intention to initiate a strategic debate on protection through our nuclear deterrence on the European continent.
Lavrov: this is, of course, a threat
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacted to Macron's comments, which were intended to warn of a threat to Europe from Moscow. As quoted by Sky News, he stated that Macron's nuclear rhetoric constitutes a threat to Russia.
- If France considers us a threat, agrees to a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs of European countries and the United Kingdom, deems it necessary to use nuclear weapons, and also prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, this is, of course, a threat - Lavrov argued.
The Russian minister also discussed the possibility of sending a European peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine once the warring parties reach a ceasefire. He stated that Moscow would perceive the deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as official NATO involvement in the war with Russia.
He also emphasised that Russia does not allow "any compromises" on this matter.
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