Asked about a possible Russian gas cut and the decisions taken by the European Union during his visit to Benin, Emmanuel Macron declared on Wednesday that “Russia is one of the last imperial colonial powers.”
A “new kind of hybrid world war”
If this Tuesday he had already described Russian influence in Cameroon as “worrying”, the President of the Republic went even further in Cotonou, the Beninese capital.
“Russia has basically started a new kind of hybrid world war,” he said at the end of his news conference. “She decided that information, energy and food were military instruments put at the service of a continental imperialist war against Ukraine.”
In Africa, a continent “that has suffered from colonial imperialism”, President Emmanuel Macron warns countries against Russian promises. “Russia has decided to invade a neighboring country to defend its interests there.
While the European justice has just confirmed the suspension of the Russian media outlet RT France, Emmanuel Macron attacks the disinformation of the Russian media under the pretext of using “democratic media”, by making believe in free journalistic work.
“Russia in the whole world is one of the countries that, with more force, uses propaganda instruments. RT France and Sputnik spread propaganda in the service of a regime that pays them”, she states.
According to Emmanuel Macron, it is one of Russia’s flagship tools for “fighting its war”, which he describes as “hybrid”, between military force and soft power.
“I appeal to Russia’s sense of responsibility”
More than ever, the Head of State is using his African tour to combat Russian influence on the continent. Coming to talk about food security in countries like Cameroon or Benin, Emmanuel Macron denounces “blackmail” by Russia.
“They are the ones who blocked the grain in Ukraine and regulate it. There was no sanction on food decided by anyone. They are the ones who decide, then they go on tour explaining to people that it is their fault,” he said.
The president also turned to energy, “one of the elements” of this hybrid war that Russia will not hesitate to use in Europe. “I appeal to Russia’s sense of responsibility,” which must find its way to reason according to the French president.
Source: BFM TV
