On February 20, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a wide range of topics in a live social media discussion, including Europe’s security, negotiations with Vladimir Putin, and his upcoming visit to Washington.
Speaking from the Élysée Palace, Macron answered questions from internet users about the war in Ukraine and security in Europe. “We are entering a new era,” emphasized the President of the Republic.
Macron is preparing for a direct conversation with former President Donald Trump. He emphasized that he would tell Trump not to appear weak in the face of Putin, asserting that “you can’t be weak with Putin.
It’s not you, it’s not your brand, it’s not in your interest.” He went on to question how the U.S. could be credible in its dealings with China if it appeared weak with Russia. Additionally, he warned that abandoning Ukraine to Putin would enable Russia to “regain Ukraine and its army, one of the largest in Europe, with all our equipment, including American equipment,” which he described as a “huge strategic mistake.”
Earlier on February 20, British Defence Secretary John Healey and Norwegian counterpart Tore Sandvik met at Norway’s Joint Headquarters near Bodø in the Arctic.