France’s Macron announces missiles and bombs for Ukraine, suggests he could work with Trump
By Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press on January 16, 2024.
PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans Tuesday to deliver more long-range cruise missiles as well as bombs to Ukraine and suggested that he’d find ways to work with Donald Trump in the event that he wins another presidency. “I take the leaders that the people give me,” the French leader said, adding that he is prepared to talk to “anyone” when France’s interests are in play. “I had to do this with President Trump throughout his term,” Macron said. He noted that while they found common cause on some issues, they were divided on others, notably fighting climate change. Macron’s musings about Trump came at a wide-ranging news conference where he addressed an array of domestic and international issues for more than two hours. He cautioned that regardless of who wins the White House, Europe should brace for the possibility that U.S. priorities may lie elsewhere. “They share our values, but it is a democracy that is also going through crisis,” Macron said. He said its “first priority is itself” and that its second is China. “So we Europeans must all be clear about this. This is also why I want a stronger Europe, that knows how to protect itself and isn’t dependent on others,” he said. “This is how I am preparing for the American election, regardless of its outcome.” Turning to Ukraine, he said he will travel there next month and that a Russian victory would undermine the world order. “We cannot let Russia win and we must not do that,” he said. He said France plans to deliver about 40 long-range missiles and “several hundred bombs that our Ukrainian friends are waiting for.” Much of the prime-time news conference focused on domestic issues. Macron laid out broad plans to strengthen and better prepare France for global crises, saying the country has “all the aces to succeed.” The event was Macron’s latest effort to reinvigorate his presidency after a series of bruising domestic battles, notably about France’s retirement age and how to better control immigration, and riots last year that swept hundreds of cities, towns and villages after the fatal police shooting of a teenager. Now, Macron is hoping to hit reset and make a fresh start in a year when France will be in the global spotlight as host of the Summer Olympics in Paris. Last week, Macron installed a new prime minister, France’s youngest ever, and new ministers ““ also part of a renewed drive by Macron to infuse his leadership with renewed energy. On Tuesday night, the new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, and Cabinet members looked on, seated together to one side, as Macron held court in the presidential Elysee Palace. Macron took a sweeping and broad look at challenges facing France. Against a blue-white-and-red background, he took deep dives into daily life issues – everything from the costs of health care and how much time children spend on screens to schooling and how to boost France’s birth rate. The former banker displayed his grasp of detail as he spoke largely without notes. The event was short of blockbuster announcements but rich in statements of intent. Of his new government, Macron said he expects it to show “daring, efficiency, action.” Macron has held few wide-ranging news conferences at the Elysee Palace – and none in the evening. The timing was meant to reach the broadest audience possible, and the event was broadcast live on several national television channels. Macron immediately struck an upbeat and determined tone, even as he cautioned that the world is changing, wracked by wars and other crises. “I am convinced that we have all the aces to succeed,” he insisted. He also expressed the belief that “our children will live better tomorrow than we do today.” In his second and last presidential term, Macron is weakened by not having a majority in parliament. That sets him the challenge of trying to ensure that he remains relevant and doesn’t become a lame duck. The Constitution doesn’t allow Macron to run for a third consecutive term in 2027. ___ AP journalist John Leicester contributed from Le Pecq, France. 24-23
