Macron wants the European Union (EU) to have a role in the Ukraine crisis. How convenient.
No surprise here:
French President Emmanuel Macron called Wednesday on the European Union to quickly draw up a new security plan containing proposals to help ease tensions with Russia, as concern mounts that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning an invasion of Ukraine.
The EU must in coming weeks “complete a European proposal building a new security and stability order," Macron said. "We should build it among Europeans, then share it with our allies in the framework of NATO, and then propose it for negotiation to Russia.”
France has the current term of rotating EU leadership.
Macron clearly wants the musical chairs game to end with him. Yet other Europeans are not on board:
[France] is willing to invest in its military and conduct combat operations in defense of its interests. But it also does little to engender trust with many of its fellow dual EU-NATO member allies who believe France’s goal is to be the leader of a unified European autonomous strategic arm, rather than a mere partner.
Yet the EU apparatchiki never want a crisis to go to waste if it can increase the EU's power. The EU is a proto-imperial power that dreams of getting rid of the prefix. If it screws America? Well that's a feature and not a bug:
For Macron, strategic autonomy means a Europe with its own place in the world and its own ability to shape world events, even if it that means pursuing a security pact with Russia as the U.S. pushes for sanctions.
But this is wrong:
Some proposals seem contradictory, such as the desire for a France that possesses “the ability to rank and have influence among other nations,” a country in which the French would be the “master of our own destiny,” yet also a country in which “our independent decision-making is fully compatible with our unwavering solidarity with our European partners.”
There is no contradiction. France's ambition for rank and influence requires "unwavering solidarity" from European provinces in an empire France runs. That is, "unquestioning obedience." Hence the lack of trust in the future provinces.
This ambition for a strong EU poses a threat to America if realized.
Of course, Macron needs a compliant team of German oxen for his ambitions:
France believes that a Germany crippled by its obsession with not looking like panzer-armed Nazis will support France in dominating the European Union. Guilt-ridden Germany's economic brawn will be directed by France's cynical and nuanced intellect.
German economic muscle could overcome resistance to an imperial EU.
That initial article bolsters the case for the EU with this "success":
France and Germany’s efforts in 2015 helped end large-scale hostilities in eastern Ukraine but the conflict, which has left around 14,000 dead, has simmered.
That duo's efforts worked out great, eh?
Resolving the Ukraine crisis simply isn't Macron's objective. He'll crown himself Emperor of Europe--Macrown?--if he can. Or at least start the process for a future French emperor, which could be himself if reelected.
