Europe must resist pressure to become ‘America’s followers,’ says Macron
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
That's just silly propaganda. Ukraine had a vast reserve of older Russian ATGMs and that played a significant part during the Kiev operation.
NLAW, Javelin etc became more important as the Ukrainians depleted their own stocks by June.
France would prefer the war ending faster rather than fuel it further and destabilise the region even more.
The final nail in the coffin will be the day the Chinese challenge the Monroe Doctrine. Venezuela is ripe for the pickings.
France does what it can with what it has in stock.
Air Defence Systems
- 2 Crotale NGs Batteries [November 2022]
Multiple Rocket Launchers (2)
- 2 227mm LRU MLRS [November 2022]
Self-Propelled Artillery (18)
- 18 155mm Caesar 6x6s [Delivered from May 2022 onwards] (Delivered along with thousands of shells)
Towed Artillery (15+)
- 15+ 155mm TRF1s [October 2022] (Purchased by Ukraine through the security capacity building fund)
Armoured Fighting Vehicles (40)
- 40 AMX-10 RC(R)s [Delivered from March 2023 onwards]
Armoured Personnel Carriers (~60)
- ~60 VABs [July 2022]
Vehicles
- TRM 2000 Trucks [August and September 2022]
- TRM 10000 Trucks [October 2022]
- GBC 180 Trucks [Before October 2022]
- Peugeot P4 SUVs [July and August 2022]
Engineering Equipment
- Motorised Floating Bridges [To be delivered] (Purchased by Ukraine through the security capacity building fund)
Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS)
Mistrals [February or March 2022]
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
MILANs [March 2022]
- FGM-148 Javelins [March 2022]
Anti-Tank Mines
- HPD2A2s [June or July 2022]
Radars
- Ground Master 200s [To be delivered]
Small Arms
7.62mm ANF-1 General-Purpose Machine Guns [July 2022]
Ammunition
- 12.7mm Ammunition [March 2022]
- OF 37 HE Hand Grenades [May 2022]
- 155mm Artillery Rounds For Caesar SPG [Delivered from May 2022 onwards]
Miscellaneous Equipment
- Fuel [March or April 2022]
- ''Protective Equipment'' [March 2022]
- Uniforms [March or April 2022]
- Electro-Optical/Infra-red Systems [March 2022]
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support (Including ongoing access to French satellite imagery)
Arms For Ukraine: French Weapons Deliveries To Kyiv
There are voices in Europe which, while criticising the form of Macron's speech, nevertheless express their support for the idea of European strategic autonomy:
- BRUSSELS — European leaders are becoming increasingly favorable toward French President Emmanuel Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the United States, European Council boss Charles Michel said Tuesday.
Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US
European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.
www.politico.eu
- SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich does not share the criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron's statements on Europe's role in the Taiwan conflict. "We must be careful not to become a party to a major conflict between the USA and the People's Republic of China," said Mützenich on ARD's "Morgenmagazin".
»Nicht als Anhängsel der USA erscheinen«: SPD-Fraktionschef Mützenich springt Macron zur Seite
Für Aussagen über Europas künftige Rolle zwischen China und den USA ist Frankreichs Präsident in die Kritik geraten. Nun erhält er Deckung von SPD-Fraktionschef Mützenich. Der stichelt zudem gegen Außenministerin Baerbock.
There are voices in Europe which, while criticising the form of Macron's speech, nevertheless express their support for the idea of European strategic autonomy:
- BRUSSELS — European leaders are becoming increasingly favorable toward French President Emmanuel Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the United States, European Council boss Charles Michel said Tuesday.
Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US
European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.
- SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich does not share the criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron's statements on Europe's role in the Taiwan conflict. "We must be careful not to become a party to a major conflict between the USA and the People's Republic of China," said Mützenich on ARD's "Morgenmagazin".
»Nicht als Anhängsel der USA erscheinen«: SPD-Fraktionschef Mützenich springt Macron zur Seite
Für Aussagen über Europas künftige Rolle zwischen China und den USA ist Frankreichs Präsident in die Kritik geraten. Nun erhält er Deckung von SPD-Fraktionschef Mützenich. Der stichelt zudem gegen Außenministerin Baerbock.www.spiegel.de
EU is an association comprising of nations with a combined population of 700 mllions . Obviously you'd expect a diversity of opinions. That isn't the issue. The issue is how much of that support to Macron translates into support for his initiatives in the EU or even NATO.
You seek answers for that & you'd realise how much support France has or doesn't.
They have a $30bn deficit for Q1 2023, so it ain't that big, it would seem. But if you look at the beginning of the war the $ shot up to about 130 roubles, but then it suddenly went right back down. Only China could have done that.
That's a real great news for me since it's the best anti dollar policy it can be.
Yes But it begins with counting how many political supports there are. Charle Michel is not a suprise, but german SPD yes.
The biggest opposition to the Franco German duo's position in NATO comes from the Baltic Republics & Poland egged on quite openly by UK with the US playing final arbiter . There's no reason to disbelieve the same won't be carried over to the EU .
Essentially you can't have economic , foreign & defence policies operating in different silos which is exactly what's happening to the EU right now . For the EU to break out of it , it either has to gain control NATO or come out of it to establish an EU with a defense cum foreign policy network.
Unless you achieve that you'd not be seen as independent or respected as a separate pole of influence in geo political affairs.
Key European politicians back Macron's pursuit of ‘strategic autonomy’ amid debate on Europe's foreign strategy
By
Hu Xijin
Published: Apr 13, 2023 01:06 AM
By
Hu Xijin
Published: Apr 13, 2023 01:06 AM
Yes, Europe does not want to be a puppet of the US - Global Times
www.globaltimes.cn
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to the Nexus Institute in the Amare theatre in The Hague on April 11, 2023 as part of a state visit to the Netherlands. Photo: VCG
Josep Borrell, the European Union's chief diplomat and Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, originally planned to visit China from April 13 to 15 together. Borrell said on twitter Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and therefore unfortunately will need to postpone his visit to China.
Europe, wandering amid the current geopolitical upheaval, needs to make a choice. During his visit to China, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Long live the friendship between France and China!" on his social media account. At the end of his trip, he told the media on the plane that he was against following the US, emphasizing Europe's strategic autonomy and saying Europe should not get "caught up in crises that are not ours" - what he meant is clearly the crisis in the Taiwan Straits. This touches on the most important strategic myth of Europe and causes a strong shock.
US Senator Marco Rubio questioned whether Macron's speech can represent Europe or only France. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss criticized Macron's recent trip as "a sign of weakness." Other US politicians and mainstream media also attacked Macron, and some voices in Europe also wanted to pressure Macron. But President of the European Council Charles Michel sent key support for Macron on Tuesday, saying European leaders are increasingly supporting Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the US.
"On the issue of the relationship with the US, it's clear that there can be nuances and sensitivities around the table of the European Council. Some European leaders wouldn't say things the same way that Emmanuel Macron did ... I think quite a few really think like Emmanuel Macron," Michel noted. "There is indeed a great attachment that remains present … For this alliance with the US. But if this alliance with the US would suppose that we blindly, systematically follow the position of the US on all issues, no."
Prior to Michel's comments, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire also backed Macron, saying that the French president is "perfectly right to demand independence and European sovereignty." Just because we are allies of the US does not mean we should be against China, he added.
It has become a big debate to clarify the foreign strategy when Europe may be strategically lost and defend its own strategic interests. Macron, who clearly does not want to back down in the face of pro-US opinion in the US and Europe, further said during a visit to the Netherlands on Tuesday that the EU must form an independent position in five key areas, including trade, competitiveness and European industry.
"We want to be open," he said. "We want allies, we want good friends, we want partners. But we always want to be in a situation to choose them. Not to be 100 percent dependent on them. We must be able to choose our partners and shape our own destiny."
France, Germany and the European Union are undoubtedly closer to the US than to China. They have more ties in culture and values, and through NATO tie the two sides of the Atlantic. In the reality of globalization, driven by actual conditions and their own interests, they become US allies and partners of China at the same time.
The current situation is that China respects the autonomy of the EU and actively interacts with the EU in terms of trade in accordance with international rules. However, the US wants to force the EU to move away from its own interest in its relationship with China and move closer to US' China strategy. From preventing European countries from using Huawei's 5G network equipment to demanding further "decoupling" from China in the field of semiconductor technology, it is the US that decides, and Europe follows. Moreover, the bargaining chip put forward by the US is that if European countries do not cooperate, they will face sanctions from the US. No country likes this feeling of being a "vassal."
Next, the US wants Europe to absolutely cooperate with it in building a "Western Taiwan Strait Policy." They want to stand by to sanction China as they did to Russia once the Chinese mainland uses force to maintain national unity. Turning the Taiwan Strait crisis into a "European crisis" is to turn Europe into a tool and use it as a new strategic bargaining chip for the US to play against China on the Taiwan question.
The purpose of the US in doing all this is to maintain its own hegemony. Washington tries to describe the US hegemony as "Western hegemony," while what Europe feels is inequality similar to the "master-servant" relationship. A cold reality is that Europe, which lacks strategic autonomy, is one of the most obvious signs of Western decline. The EU's economic volume once accounted for 30 percent of the world's total. With the economic downturn and Brexit, the EU's GDP now only accounts for 17 percent, but the share of US GDP in world economy has shrunk much less.
The Ukraine war has intensified the EU's dependence on the US for security. When there is a lot of room for debate on whether Europe is helping the US or the US is providing security for Europe, Washington has adopted a "savior" attitude toward Europe. Gordon Chang, one of the main advocates of the "China collapse" theory in the US, reprimanded Macron on Twitter, saying: "if #Europe should not help the #US on #Taiwan, why should the US help Europe on #Ukraine?" This is already blackmailing Europe.
The reality of China-EU relations is very complicated. In particular, Europe, like the US, has ideological differences with China. The US tries to use ideological differences to cover up its geopolitical conflicts with China, describing its containment of China as "a democracy vs autocracy struggle." Some Europeans were fooled, but most Europeans are not. The cooperative relationship between Europe and China will not be smooth. When referring to Taiwan, Macron said Europe should "avoid the trap to be caught in the crises which are not ours," and that the EU should not be a follower of the US. This is destined to be the inner voice of most people in Europe. Yes, Europe does not want to be a puppet of the US.
The author is a commentator with the Global Times.
Take your nonsense away. France is a leech on Europe.France does what it can with what it has in stock.
Air Defence Systems
- 2 Crotale NGs Batteries [November 2022]
Multiple Rocket Launchers (2)
- 2 227mm LRU MLRS [November 2022]
Self-Propelled Artillery (18)
- 18 155mm Caesar 6x6s [Delivered from May 2022 onwards] (Delivered along with thousands of shells)
Towed Artillery (15+)
- 15+ 155mm TRF1s [October 2022] (Purchased by Ukraine through the security capacity building fund)
Armoured Fighting Vehicles (40)
- 40 AMX-10 RC(R)s [Delivered from March 2023 onwards]
Armoured Personnel Carriers (~60)
- ~60 VABs [July 2022]
Vehicles
- TRM 2000 Trucks [August and September 2022]
- TRM 10000 Trucks [October 2022]
- GBC 180 Trucks [Before October 2022]
- Peugeot P4 SUVs [July and August 2022]
Engineering Equipment
- Motorised Floating Bridges [To be delivered] (Purchased by Ukraine through the security capacity building fund)
Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS)
Mistrals [February or March 2022]
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
MILANs [March 2022]
- FGM-148 Javelins [March 2022]
Anti-Tank Mines
- HPD2A2s [June or July 2022]
Radars
- Ground Master 200s [To be delivered]
Small Arms
7.62mm ANF-1 General-Purpose Machine Guns [July 2022]
Ammunition
- 12.7mm Ammunition [March 2022]
- OF 37 HE Hand Grenades [May 2022]
- 155mm Artillery Rounds For Caesar SPG [Delivered from May 2022 onwards]
Miscellaneous Equipment
- Fuel [March or April 2022]
- ''Protective Equipment'' [March 2022]
- Uniforms [March or April 2022]
- Electro-Optical/Infra-red Systems [March 2022]
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support (Including ongoing access to French satellite imagery)
Arms For Ukraine: French Weapons Deliveries To Kyiv
www.oryxspioenkop.com
Last edited:
Who wouldn't want a stronger Europe? That is far different than what the EU will do with this force. Who of these have come out and said they have walked away from the Indo pacific issues? Macron is the only one I've seen.
No, the Russians simply shut down imports and stopped stock market trading. China had nothing to do with arresting ruble's fall during the time, even now. Currency strength in emerging markets is dependent on forex supplies, so if forex keeps coming in via oil trade and nothing is allowed to go out, that strengthens the currency. Furthermore, the Russians forced the EU to pay for energy in rubles, which further played a part in stopping the slide. The ruble's future prospects aren't good, but that's the point of de-dollarisation.
The Russians are just manipulating their currency.
Key European politicians back Macron's pursuit of ‘strategic autonomy’ amid debate on Europe's foreign strategy
By
Hu Xijin
Published: Apr 13, 2023 01:06 AM
Yes, Europe does not want to be a puppet of the US - Global Times
www.globaltimes.cn
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to the Nexus Institute in the Amare theatre in The Hague on April 11, 2023 as part of a state visit to the Netherlands. Photo: VCG
Josep Borrell, the European Union's chief diplomat and Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, originally planned to visit China from April 13 to 15 together. Borrell said on twitter Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and therefore unfortunately will need to postpone his visit to China.
Europe, wandering amid the current geopolitical upheaval, needs to make a choice. During his visit to China, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Long live the friendship between France and China!" on his social media account. At the end of his trip, he told the media on the plane that he was against following the US, emphasizing Europe's strategic autonomy and saying Europe should not get "caught up in crises that are not ours" - what he meant is clearly the crisis in the Taiwan Straits. This touches on the most important strategic myth of Europe and causes a strong shock.
US Senator Marco Rubio questioned whether Macron's speech can represent Europe or only France. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss criticized Macron's recent trip as "a sign of weakness." Other US politicians and mainstream media also attacked Macron, and some voices in Europe also wanted to pressure Macron. But President of the European Council Charles Michel sent key support for Macron on Tuesday, saying European leaders are increasingly supporting Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the US.
"On the issue of the relationship with the US, it's clear that there can be nuances and sensitivities around the table of the European Council. Some European leaders wouldn't say things the same way that Emmanuel Macron did ... I think quite a few really think like Emmanuel Macron," Michel noted. "There is indeed a great attachment that remains present … For this alliance with the US. But if this alliance with the US would suppose that we blindly, systematically follow the position of the US on all issues, no."
Prior to Michel's comments, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire also backed Macron, saying that the French president is "perfectly right to demand independence and European sovereignty." Just because we are allies of the US does not mean we should be against China, he added.
It has become a big debate to clarify the foreign strategy when Europe may be strategically lost and defend its own strategic interests. Macron, who clearly does not want to back down in the face of pro-US opinion in the US and Europe, further said during a visit to the Netherlands on Tuesday that the EU must form an independent position in five key areas, including trade, competitiveness and European industry.
"We want to be open," he said. "We want allies, we want good friends, we want partners. But we always want to be in a situation to choose them. Not to be 100 percent dependent on them. We must be able to choose our partners and shape our own destiny."
France, Germany and the European Union are undoubtedly closer to the US than to China. They have more ties in culture and values, and through NATO tie the two sides of the Atlantic. In the reality of globalization, driven by actual conditions and their own interests, they become US allies and partners of China at the same time.
The current situation is that China respects the autonomy of the EU and actively interacts with the EU in terms of trade in accordance with international rules. However, the US wants to force the EU to move away from its own interest in its relationship with China and move closer to US' China strategy. From preventing European countries from using Huawei's 5G network equipment to demanding further "decoupling" from China in the field of semiconductor technology, it is the US that decides, and Europe follows. Moreover, the bargaining chip put forward by the US is that if European countries do not cooperate, they will face sanctions from the US. No country likes this feeling of being a "vassal."
Next, the US wants Europe to absolutely cooperate with it in building a "Western Taiwan Strait Policy." They want to stand by to sanction China as they did to Russia once the Chinese mainland uses force to maintain national unity. Turning the Taiwan Strait crisis into a "European crisis" is to turn Europe into a tool and use it as a new strategic bargaining chip for the US to play against China on the Taiwan question.
The purpose of the US in doing all this is to maintain its own hegemony. Washington tries to describe the US hegemony as "Western hegemony," while what Europe feels is inequality similar to the "master-servant" relationship. A cold reality is that Europe, which lacks strategic autonomy, is one of the most obvious signs of Western decline. The EU's economic volume once accounted for 30 percent of the world's total. With the economic downturn and Brexit, the EU's GDP now only accounts for 17 percent, but the share of US GDP in world economy has shrunk much less.
The Ukraine war has intensified the EU's dependence on the US for security. When there is a lot of room for debate on whether Europe is helping the US or the US is providing security for Europe, Washington has adopted a "savior" attitude toward Europe. Gordon Chang, one of the main advocates of the "China collapse" theory in the US, reprimanded Macron on Twitter, saying: "if #Europe should not help the #US on #Taiwan, why should the US help Europe on #Ukraine?" This is already blackmailing Europe.
The reality of China-EU relations is very complicated. In particular, Europe, like the US, has ideological differences with China. The US tries to use ideological differences to cover up its geopolitical conflicts with China, describing its containment of China as "a democracy vs autocracy struggle." Some Europeans were fooled, but most Europeans are not. The cooperative relationship between Europe and China will not be smooth. When referring to Taiwan, Macron said Europe should "avoid the trap to be caught in the crises which are not ours," and that the EU should not be a follower of the US. This is destined to be the inner voice of most people in Europe. Yes, Europe does not want to be a puppet of the US.
The author is a commentator with the Global Times.
If Trump gets over his current hurdles, his re-election will give Macron a major advantage. But Trump will very comfortably kill the EU's economy in the process.
The ones who gain the most from a prolonged war have spent the most money.