“irritating,” despite Johnson “having not done much in Ukraine.”
This line says a lot about how the two countries have approached this. Whilst I do not doubt that Johnson’s visit was in part a PR show, the UK has had a far more consistent policy of support to Ukraine that goes back to 2014 and before – i.e. pre-Johnson and Macron.
That Macron sees it as Johnson vs himself says a lot. Macron has been trying damn hard to be Europe’s premier statesman – not surprising with elections looming. But it’s not just about the two leaders, and Macron doesn’t seem to realise that the UK didn’t start getting involved in February.
The UK has seen its longer term investment in equipment and direct training support to Ukraine pay dividends. Boris’ foray into statesmanship has therefore completely one-upped Macron’s more flowery high profile musings on the matter. Johnson had the benefit of his words and actions being backed up by real long term policy decisions. France by contrast has done relatively little real work
Last edited 2 years ago by A Spetzari
John Shone
2 years ago
France should be ashamed, not jealous…if I may project the feelings of Macron onto the entire nation…for two reasons:
1. To lead Europe, France must do things that other nations will follow. In the case of Ukraine, a robust response by France – a nuclear power – might have deterred Putin. When phone calls didn’t work, there was no Clauswitzian Plan B.
2. France owes Liberty a huge debt, which it has yet to repay. This was the moment to repay it. The British (Empire) saved France in WW I by fighting on Belgian and French soil. In WW II the English speaking people liberated France. Why are the French not holding the line somewhere in Ukraine? Was Hitler satisfied reoccupying The Rhineland?
On the subject of which, I just came back from visiting York, where the actual Shambles provide a lovely example of a near-perfect medieval streetscape. Well worth a visit on a sunny spring day.
But France armaments industry is supplying into Ukraine – on Russian tanks; see
French shipments of military equipment to Russia despite EU embargo and the violation of rule of law principles (europa.eu) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2022-001087_EN.html
This line says a lot about how the two countries have approached this. Whilst I do not doubt that Johnson’s visit was in part a PR show, the UK has had a far more consistent policy of support to Ukraine that goes back to 2014 and before – i.e. pre-Johnson and Macron.
That Macron sees it as Johnson vs himself says a lot. Macron has been trying damn hard to be Europe’s premier statesman – not surprising with elections looming. But it’s not just about the two leaders, and Macron doesn’t seem to realise that the UK didn’t start getting involved in February.
The UK has seen its longer term investment in equipment and direct training support to Ukraine pay dividends. Boris’ foray into statesmanship has therefore completely one-upped Macron’s more flowery high profile musings on the matter. Johnson had the benefit of his words and actions being backed up by real long term policy decisions. France by contrast has done relatively little real work
France should be ashamed, not jealous…if I may project the feelings of Macron onto the entire nation…for two reasons:
1. To lead Europe, France must do things that other nations will follow. In the case of Ukraine, a robust response by France – a nuclear power – might have deterred Putin. When phone calls didn’t work, there was no Clauswitzian Plan B.
2. France owes Liberty a huge debt, which it has yet to repay. This was the moment to repay it. The British (Empire) saved France in WW I by fighting on Belgian and French soil. In WW II the English speaking people liberated France. Why are the French not holding the line somewhere in Ukraine? Was Hitler satisfied reoccupying The Rhineland?
Boris shambles, Macron flounces?
On the subject of which, I just came back from visiting York, where the actual Shambles provide a lovely example of a near-perfect medieval streetscape. Well worth a visit on a sunny spring day.
My lovely hometown is well worth a visit on any day of the week and in any weather.
Is this supposed to mean something?
But France armaments industry is supplying into Ukraine – on Russian tanks; see
French shipments of military equipment to Russia despite EU embargo and the violation of rule of law principles (europa.eu)
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2022-001087_EN.html
A very telling picture.