The documentary was supposed to show behind the scenes the six months that France assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, following in the footsteps of President Emmanuel Macron and his chancellor. But the movie shows something much more interesting: some of the conversations between Macron and Vladimir Putin in the weeks leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Guy Lagache’s documentary “A President, Europe and War” aired on French state television on June 30, showing a nine-minute phone conversation between the two presidents four days before Russia invaded Ukrainian territory.
The statement angered the Russian government. This Wednesday (6), Chancellor Sergei Lavrov accused France of unilaterally violating the secrecy of the negotiations. “Diplomatic etiquette does not allow for one-sided leaks. [tais] records,” said Lavrov, who was traveling to Vietnam.
A tense and surprising speech
The phone call, recorded on February 20, shows Macron’s attempt to avoid conflict in Ukraine, as Russia expands military exercises in the neighboring country’s border region.
The dialogue begins in a friendly tone, but quickly changes temperature and ends with the French president giving a harsh and tense speech towards Putin, which retains a calm and even sarcastic tone.
The film shows the speech from Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic advisers’ room, listening to the speaker in another room in the Élysée Palace, taking notes and sending messages to the French president.
The French president starts the conversation straight to the point: “First, and perhaps quite directly, as we are both used to, I want you to give me your reading on the current situation, I want you to tell me what your intentions are,” says Macron.
“What can I say? You can see for yourself what’s going on,” replied Putin calmly, referring to the Minsk agreements, which will form the basis of negotiations that will ensure possible peace in eastern Ukraine. Russia accuses the French president of trying to “review the agreements” made after the annexation of Crimea and wants the Ukrainian separatists’ proposals to be considered for peacebuilding.
Macron raises his voice and gets angry: “I don’t know where your lawyer learned the law. I read the text and try to apply it. I don’t know what lawyer can tell you that in a sovereign country laws are proposed by separatists, not by groups and democratically elected officials”. This statement causes laughter among French diplomatic advisers.
Putin replied that the government of Volodymyr Zelensky was not democratically elected and came to power in a violent coup. The Russian again complains that the pro-Russian separatists are not being heard.
“We don’t want to hear the separatists’ proposals,” the French president said, adding that he was not included in the agreement. Trying to be a conciliator, Macron proposes a meeting between all parties. “I will demand this from Zelensky. [o presidente ucraniano]”, says.
The meeting never took place and four days later Russia invaded Ukraine, demonstrating that this attack was prepared despite the Kremlin’s numerous denials.
we have nothing to be ashamed of
The Chancellor said that although he was displeased with the film, his country had no reason to hide the content of the conversation between the two leaders. “We conduct the negotiations in such a way that we never have to be embarrassed. We always say what we think, we are ready to reciprocate and explain our position,” Lavrov said.
The War in Ukraine has now completed more than four months and has left thousands dead and seems far from a solution.
source: Noticias
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