Thread by @morcos_pierre

[Thread] President Macron just delivered a public address on the war in #Ukraine. A 🧵on the main messages of this long and solemn speech:
elysee.fr/emmanuel-macro…

"Since Pres. Putin's brutal attack on Ukraine, Russian forces have been shelling Kyiv, besieging the country's most important cities. Hundreds of civilians have already been killed. The next few days will probably be even harder. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are fleeing."

"We stand by Ukraine. Tonight, I salute the courage of the Ukrainian people who are resisting under fire, and I send President Zelensky France's fraternal support. Today he is the face of honor, freedom, and bravery."

"Neither France, nor Europe, nor Ukraine, nor the Atlantic Alliance wanted this war. On the contrary, we did everything we could to avoid it. Faced with the escalation of tensions, I went to Moscow and then to Kyiv to seek alternatives to this armed conflict."

"It is therefore alone, and deliberately, that President Putin has chosen war. This war is not a conflict between NATO and Russia. There are no NATO troops or bases in Ukraine, this is a lie. Russia is not the victim, it is the aggressor."

"This war is even less a fight against Nazism. It is a lie, an insult to the history of Russia and Ukraine. The Russian leaders are attacking the memory of the Shoah."

"This war is the fruit of a spirit of revenge, fed by a revisionist reading of European history, which would like to send it back to the darkest hours of the Empires, of the invasions, of the exterminations."

"France and Europe responded immediately, unanimously, firmly, in close coordination with the British, the Americans, the Canadians, the Japanese, and many other countries."

"First, by supporting the Ukrainian people, through humanitarian convoys and the delivery of defensive weapons. Second, by acting with other nations to make sure that the Russian leaders understand that the choice of war puts them on the sidelines of history."

"We have taken swift and proportionate sanctions against Russia and its leaders. Russian propaganda outlets have stopped broadcasting in Europe. Finally, we are contributing to NATO efforts to protect the security and sovereignty of our European allies."

"Our objective is to stop the fighting. However, we are not at war with Russia. We know our ties with this great people. Today, we stand by all Russians refusing to allow an unworthy war to be waged in their name and who have the courage to defend peace."

"This is why, while I am in constant contact with President Zelensky, I have also chosen to remain in contact, as much as necessary, with President Putin in order to relentlessly seek to convince him to renounce arms and to prevent the contagion and expansion of the conflict."

"The balance of our continent has already been upset by this war. France will do its part in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. We are organizing ourselves and will take care of those who come to our soil to be protected."

"Our agriculture, our industry, many economic sectors are suffering and will suffer. Our growth will inevitably be affected. Faced with these economic and social consequences, I have asked the Prime Minister to develop an economic and social resilience plan."

"These events signal a change of era. The war in Europe does no longer belong in our history books, it is here before our eyes. Democracy is no longer an unquestionable regime, it is being challenged. Our freedom is no longer a given, it's more than ever a fight of every moment."

"To this brutal return of tragedy in history, we must respond with historic decisions. Our country will therefore increase its investment in defense and pursue its strategy of investment in its economy, research and innovation."

"Our Europe has demonstrated a remarkable unity. It must now accept to pay the price of freedom, peace and democracy. In other words, it must become a more independent, more sovereign power."

"Economic power first of all. We must promote a new economic model based on independence and progress. Secondly, an energy power. We must no longer depend on others, and in particular on Russian gas. I will defend a strategy of European energy independence."

"Finally, a power of peace. We must not depend on others to defend us, whether on land, at sea, under the sea, in the air, in space or in cyber space. Our European defense must take a new step."

"On March 10 and 11 in Versailles, I will bring together the European leaders for a summit to decide on all these issues. Europe has entered a new era. The war in Ukraine marks a break for our continent and our generations. It will force us to take decisions." [End]