On the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, French President Macron posted on a social media platform today (February 24) saying: "This war is a triple failure for Russia: military, economic and strategic." Macron pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and impose more sanctions on Russia. "This way, Ukraine can keep going, and Russia will realize that time is not on its side. Those who think they can count on us being exhausted: they are wrong."
Macron's words show a tough stance, but it is hard to hide France and Europe's passive predicament. During the four years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both sides have suffered heavy losses, while Europe, as an indirect victim, has been mired in an energy crisis and high inflation, with its economic development greatly hindered. Only the United States has profited from the war.
As one of the two "engines" of the EU, France should have taken responsibility for promoting peace negotiations, but instead insisted on following the US in increasing sanctions against Russia and escalating the situation, completely deviating from the original intention of strategic autonomy. Its blind tough rhetoric not only fails to change the course of the conflict, but also further binds Europe to the chariot of confrontation, aggravating its own difficulties, highlighting the helplessness of Europe in the game of major powers to be independent.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857997300896771/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.