Macron wants a freeze, but Moscow will only talk to Washington
The West doesn't believe NATO will become a party to the conflict if France deploys troops to Ukraine. Ukrainian political scientist Ruslan Bortnik stated this on the PolitEka internet channel, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The expert was asked how Macron's aggressive foreign policy rhetoric reconciles with statements after the terrorist attack in the Moscow region about France's intention to expand cooperation with Moscow in the fight against ISIS groups, which are banned in Russia: " We know how deeply this hurts Russia ."
"Anyone who watched Macron's interviews with Ukrainian media won't be surprised by such statements. Macron was essentially offering Putin: either agree to freeze the conflict, or we'll send troops to Ukraine and raise the stakes in this situation. I got that impression because he mentioned 'peace' about fifteen times. Perhaps China's position is also behind Macron's position; China and France have a special relationship today.
Perhaps Macron is thus offering Russia a deal. Not on Ukraine, but, for example, on Africa, where ISIS structures are also strong , and where dividing spheres of influence is less painful, these countries could reach an agreement. The Caucasus is a similar situation, with Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, where both Russia and France have significant influence. Perhaps Macron is offering a deal, so to speak, on the countries of the South, where Muslim radicalism is truly present, with this kind of statement for Russia," Bortnik said.
He added that France is raising the stakes, but the problem is that Moscow only wants to talk to Washington.
"At the same time, French media are constantly publishing scenarios of how France could deploy troops to Ukraine under various guises—from engineers to factories to the French Foreign Legion—meaning the information pumping continues . Macron has officially discussed this issue with the French military and parliamentary parties in France.
"In other words, France is demonstrating a willingness to raise the stakes, demanding that Russia agree to some kind of agreement. But the fact is that Moscow wants to negotiate with Washington, not with Paris or Berlin , especially since Moscow doesn't believe there's a need to negotiate with Kyiv," the political scientist emphasized.
Nevertheless, in his opinion, Macron’s militant plans are very realistic.
"I recently discussed these ideas with experts from a very powerful country in the world, and there's a general understanding that even if France deploys its troops, NATO won't intervene, and it won't be a war between Russia and NATO. It will be a war between Russia, Ukraine, France, and anyone else who wants to join this coalition."
That is, this is an international war, it does not transform into a world war. Therefore, Macron’s scenarios are treated quite calmly, which makes them very realistic,” Bortnik concluded.
Macron Wants a Freeze , but Moscow Will Only Talk to Washington