On Monday, Russian authorities slammed French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks regarding Russia becoming subservient to China, saying Western countries must adapt to a reality based on the Kremlin’s close ties with Beijing.
The Russian criticism was centred on Macron’s interview with the Parisian daily L’Opinion. In it, he spoke about the Kremlin’s isolation due to its invasion of Ukraine more than 14 months ago.
Macron’s Comments
Emmanuel Macron stated that Russia has “already lost geopolitically” the conflict in Ukraine and is essentially turning into a vassal state of China.
He added that “de facto, [Russia] has entered a form of subservience with regards to China and has lost its access to the Baltic, which was critical, because it prompted the decision by Sweden and Finland to join NATO.” “This was unthinkable just two years ago. So, it’s already a geopolitical defeat.”
Macron said earlier in the day that #Russia had suffered a "geopolitical defeat" and was turning more and more dependent on #China, which was "raising doubts" among its traditional friends. https://t.co/iE6oPe4vi2
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 15, 2023
The French President explained, “Let’s be clear, Russia must not win this war militarily. So, it’s up to us to see how to help the Ukrainians with their counter-offensive and how to prepare the issue of security guarantees in the negotiations that will inevitably take place.”
“I’ve always said that in the end, Europe’s security architecture will have to fully defend Ukraine. But it must also envisage non-confrontation with Russia and rebuild a sustainable balance of forces.” “But there are still many steps that must be taken before we get to that.”
Macron's observation follows the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in March in Moscow, where they jointly declared the advent of "a new era" in their bilateral ties, underscoring the transformative nature of thei growing strategic alliance.
Kremlin Denounces “Subservience” Comment
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s relations with China were those of a strategic partnership and had nothing to do with its dependence. He added that Macron’s remarks revealed “an absolutely wrong understanding of what is happening.”
According to Peskov, Russia and China’s relationship is built on “mutual interests, benefits, close worldviews, and the common rejection of any attempt to dictate” a country’s action.
The Kremlin slams comments made by #France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who said #Russia was becoming a vassal to #China as a result of the conflict in #Ukraine.https://t.co/pYEjoncy9a
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 15, 2023
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated Paris had become preoccupied with Moscow’s strengthened relations with Beijing and the implications of these developments for the global order.
Grushko stated on the ministry’s website, “The West generally appears fearful of the formation of a truly multilateral system of international relations before our eyes, one that includes several separate independent centres, particularly Russia and China.”
“Within this evolving landscape of the world it is inevitable that E. Macron, along with other leaders in the West will have to reconcile themselves to the reality of strong, equitable and mutually respectful relations between Moscow and Beijing.”
China has tried to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war but has never condemned Russia’s invasion. When Xi met Putin in March, he presented himself as a mediator concerned with maintaining stability.
On Tuesday, Chinese special envoy Li Hui is expected to arrive in Kyiv for a two-day visit. He will be the highest-ranking Chinese envoy to visit the country since Moscow’s “special military operation” began last year. Li will also be making trips to Poland, France, and Germany, all of which are members of the EU.