The president spoke live from the Elysée this Thursday at midday, in a brief solemn video.
Around 5 am (French time) this Thursday, Vladimir Putin launched a massive military attack against Ukraine. He also threatened any country that would try to intervene or attempt to threaten Russia, declaring that the country’s response would be “immediate” and would have consequences “that you have never seen before”.
“To this act of war, we will respond without weakness, with composure, determination, and unity,” began Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, February 24, after a national defense and security council at the Elysée. “In this ordeal, France stands alongside Ukraine,” he continued.
“By reneging on his word, by refusing the diplomatic path, by choosing war, President Putin has not only attacked Ukraine, he has decided to flout Ukraine’s sovereignty. He has decided to bring the most serious harm to peace, to stability in our Europe for decades,” Emmanuel Macron during his address on Thursday, February 24.
The president also announced that he and his counterparts will make decisions at the G7 this afternoon, at the European Council meeting to be held tonight, and at the NATO summit to be held in the coming hours. He also indicated that he will speak before Parliament tomorrow.
For Emmanuel Macron, “the events of this night are a turning point in the history of Europe and our country. They will have profound and lasting consequences on our lives,” but he assures that “we will know how to respond together”.
Address to the French. pic.twitter.com/7TK8CFGQHm
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 24, 2022
“The sanctions imposed on Russia will match the aggression of which it will be guilty both in military and economic terms and in the field of energy. We will be without weakness,” he states.
The region’s officials react
Many political figures reacted via social networks, including the elected official of the Alpes-Maritimes department, Eric Ciotti. He stated “regretting the Kremlin’s decision to choose war rather than peace” and condemns the Russian intervention.
I condemn the Russian intervention in Ukraine and regret the Kremlin’s decision to choose war rather than peace.
Support for the Ukrainian people.
— Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) February 24, 2022
For his part, the president of the Alpes-Maritimes department, Charles-Ange Ginésy also condemned this act and said “offering all his support” to the Ukrainian people.
I condemn the unjustified attack by Russia against the #Ukrainian people to whom I offer all my support. I invite European countries and NATO forces to respond firmly and swiftly to curb this escalation!
— Charles Ange Ginesy (@ca_ginesy) February 24, 2022
The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, also condemned the Russian attacks:
The massive entry of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory can only be firmly condemned. This is what the President of the Republic @EmmanuelMacron immediately did with a statement of great responsibility and firmness. #UkraineRussie
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) February 24, 2022
This morning, Thursday, February 24, a gathering took place on the Promenade des Anglais in support of the Ukrainians.
