Not way back the French chief believed the continent was nearly as large as Africa. Now he’s diminished it in measurement by about 75%
By Kommersant FM political observer Dmitry Drize
French President Emmanuel Macron has delivered a speech on the way forward for our shared continent. He’s calling for reform of the Outdated World, as in any other case it’s prone to dying.
His common impression is that what he calls Europe is simply too sluggish, too clumsy, and sometimes unable to satisfy many trendy challenges. In response to him, additionally it is important to proceed supporting Ukraine. On the identical time, the top of the Fifth Republic formulated the thesis of a single territory of values from Lisbon to Odessa, whereas earlier he spoke of an ideal Europe extending to Russia’s Far Japanese capital Vladivostok.
Kommersant FM political observer Dmitry Drize doesn’t rule out a remaining break between the West and Russia.
That is identified to be a reference to Charles de Gaulle’s well-known phrase a couple of multipolar world in Europe “from the Atlantic to the Urals.” Russian official sources recalled that Macron stated at a joint press convention with President Vladimir Putin in 2020 that he “believes in Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok.”
However now Ukraine is being helped – long-range missiles and different gear are being transferred, albeit with delays. As for Russia, it seems that we now have been someway excluded from Europe. Geographically, a big a part of our nation remains to be there, and it’s not doable to vary the prevailing order of issues. Mentally, nevertheless, when it comes to at the moment’s values, they’re saying, ‘We’ll do with out you.’
That sounds a bit offensive. However there may be nothing shocking about it, as a result of not solely is the Russian Federation seen as the primary menace, however they’re claiming that we’ll assault NATO international locations. Some have even named the supposed dates for such assaults.
However the fascinating factor is that Russian journey businesses are seeing a rise in demand for the Outdated World. There are queues for Schengen visas, and consulates are overwhelmed. Italy, Spain and France are nonetheless widespread locations. That is although the price of journey has multiplied and these international locations are unfriendly, if not downright hostile. Why is that? It’s exhausting to say. However this unusual and supposedly decaying world remains to be enticing.
Or maybe we’re not enemies in any respect? Even the West doesn’t totally perceive this.
And right here it’s time to return to large politics. It’s protected to say that we are actually within the means of contemplating how one can proceed: whether or not to separate utterly – out of sight, out of thoughts – or to go away the door barely ajar.
However there’s a robust sense that this door is about to slam shut. And there may be not a lot time left to cease it. So the demand for European vacationer journeys is justified – you need to seize the chance whereas it lasts. Occasions are shifting too quick. Macron has modified, one may say, from a dove to a hawk earlier than our very eyes. It’s exhausting to think about now that he was as soon as scolded for his obvious loyalty to Russia.
This text was first printed by Kommersant, translated and edited by the RT staff
You possibly can share this story on social media:
Supply hyperlink
